Tennessee ranks 5th nationally in highway performance, high fatality rates a concern

NASHVILLE, Tenn. WZTV) — The Reason Group released its annual report on “highway performance and cost-effectiveness,” slotting the Volunteer State fifth in the nation.

The five-spot is a drop from number three last year. The report looks at the condition, safety and costs of roads and bridges across all 50 states.

Some of the subcategories aren't as promising, though. The Reason Group puts Tennessee middle-of-the-pack for administrative spending at 28 and congestion, citing drivers spending 20 hours per year in traffic.

Tennessee is at 13th in the report for maintenance spending, which covers things like paving and pothole repair.

One worrisome category is the “urban fatality rate” coming in at 43 and “other fatality rate,” meaning minor roads in both urban and rural areas, coming in at 42 out of 50.

You can find the annual report here.

Get reports like this and all the news of the day in Middle Tennessee delivered to your inbox each morning with the FOX 17 News Daily Newsletter.