Reason Foundation: Florida in top 20 for interstate safety, spending in the U.S.

Florida’s urban and rural highway systems are fairly decent compared to the rest of the county, but according to a new study, their conditions have improved slightly in the past year.

The Sunshine State’s interstate roadways are not quite at the top, but they’re in the top 20, according to the Reason Foundation’s “Annual Highway Report.” The analysis found that Florida was 14th in terms of safe interstate conditions. However, the study found a six-spot decline for Florida, ranked eighth in the previous report.

The Reason Foundation 28th annual report examines the urban and rural pavement conditions, rural pavement, deficient bridges, traffic congestion, and spending on roads and bridges in all 50 states.

In terms of safety, the analysis found Florida still ranks highly for general safety of its roadways.

“In safety and condition categories, Florida’s highways rank ninth in urban interstate pavement condition, fourth in rural interstate pavement condition, fifth in urban arterial pavement condition, fifth in rural arterial pavement condition, 10th in structurally deficient bridges, 48th in urban fatality rate, and 38th in rural fatality rate,” the study concluded.

However, Florida falters when it comes to funding for interstate projects.

“In spending and cost-effectiveness, Florida ranks 40th in capital and bridge disbursements, which are the costs of building new roads and bridges and widening existing ones. Florida ranks 25th in maintenance spending, such as the costs of repaving roads and filling in potholes. Florida’s administrative disbursements, including office spending that doesn’t make its way to roads, ranks 23rd nationwide,” researchers said.

Florida improved the most in its rural fatality rate, which increased from 45th to 38th, and administrative financial disbursements, which went from 28th to 23rd.

Florida’s congestion worsened, with the urban traffic backup ranking going from 18th to 39th in the country. However, Florida’s urban fatality ranking is still pretty low, at 48th.

The Carolinas have a knack for handling highways. North Carolina was ranked first in the country for interstate well-being; South Carolina was second. North Dakota ranked third, followed by Virginia in fourth place and Tennessee in fifth.

Alaska ranked 50th in the country for road safety and spending, with California in 49th, preceded by Hawaii, Washington, Louisiana, and New York, respectively.