At least we’re not New Jersey.
That was one of the few bright spots to be found in a new report from the libertarian Reason Foundation ranking state highway systems for “overall cost-effectiveness and condition.”
North Dakota came in first, New Jersey came in last and Washington finished 45th.
While Mike Gribner, administrator of the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Eastern Region, said a “single study does not define the system” and pointed out that other studies “rank us considerably higher,” he didn’t dispute one of the Reason Foundation’s fundamental findings: that the state isn’t doing nearly enough to preserve and maintain its roads.
That’s something Gribner has been telling “anybody that will listen,” including this newspaper and the state Legislature. And Andy Billig, the Senate majority leader from Spokane, has heard the pleas.
Billig said last week that he plans to push his fellow lawmakers in Olympia to respond to those concerns.