Study ranks Colorado highways 36 out of 50

A new study ranking highways in all 50 states has ranked Colorado in the bottom half.

The Reason Foundation released its annual highway report earlier this month. Colorado’s highways came in at number 36.

Brian Piper, a commercial driver told KRDO, “they’re horrible.” He continues, “there’s a lot of congestion. Traffic doesn’t flow.”

While the study uses data from 2016, three of the biggest factors to determine the ranking are issues drivers are still dealing with including congestion, fatalities and road conditions.

Recent construction on Interstate 25 in the gap between Monument and Castle Rock has elevated congestion through the area, but some drivers say it’s too late.

There’s no quick fix to it, I mean, what should have been happening years ago. I think we’re behind the bubble on it,” said Casey Hylton.

Another drive, Pat Hawk, echoed his concern.

“What they’re doing now is what they should have been doing 10 years ago and when they get done with us it’ll be another 10 years, and they’ll need it again,” Hawk said.

In fact, Colorado was ranked 47 out of 50 states for rural interstate pavement conditions.

The Colorado Department of Transportation is aware of the low ranking and says they’ve been conducting a survey of their own.

Michelle Peulen with CDOT said, “we’ve heard loud and clear that roadway conditions are top priority for Coloradans. CDOT is going to be out looking at rural and urban roadways.”

Coming at the top of the list with the best roads are North Dakota, Missouri, and Virginia.