Justin A. Hinkley

Lansing State Journal

A libertarian think tank says Michigan's highways ranked 32nd among the 50 states in 2012 in terms of spending, maintenance, fatality rates and more.

That's an improvement from the 36th slot it occupied in 2011, but still worse than the its number-30 slot in 2009.

The Los Angeles-based Reason Foundation said in its "Annual Highway Report" that Michigan performs best in its fatality rate (15th in the nation), rural roads condition (19th) and per-mile spending on administration (22nd). The state ranks works on the condition of its Interstates.

Michigan, whose Legislature tried and failed this summer to pass a long-term road-funding package, ranked 31st in total disbursements per mile, the report said.

Wyoming ranked first and Hawaii 50th in the group's report.

The full report can be read at reason.org/studies/show/21st-annual-highway-report.