LANSING, Mich.  (Michigan News Source) – The state of Michigan’s highways ranked 23rd in the country in terms of cost effectiveness and condition, based on a report by the free market nonprofit Reason Foundation.

The report, which is in its 28th edition, based its ratings on several factors, including pavement condition, fatality rates, congestion and structural soundness of bridges.

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Michigan did the best in rural fatality rates, which measures fatalities on all rural arterials in the state. Michigan was third best. Michigan was ranked the lowest at 43rd in its percentage of structurally deficient bridges.

The Michigan Department of Transportation, or MDOT, oversees the condition of the state’s roads and has seen a big increase in funding since the start of the pandemic. In 2018-19, MDOT received $5 billion in overall funding. From 2021-22 through 2024-25, MDOT’s funding has averaged $6.6 billion a year.

Michigan had 11.22% of its bridges defined as structurally “deficient.” Arizona had the lowest percent at 1.26%. Only seven states had a higher percentage than Michigan. According to the Reason Foundation, which is located in Los Angeles, federal law mandates the inspection of bridges for structural adequacy at least every two years. Bridges rated “deficient” are eligible for federal money.

Michigan was ranked 24th overall in 2020 in the Reason annual survey and 27th in 2023.