Rhode Island’s state highway system ranks 43rd worst in the nation for spending effectiveness and road condition, according to the Reason Foundation’s latest Annual Highway Report. Despite spending $160,029 per lane mile in 2023, 15.35% of the state’s bridges remain structurally deficient and pavement conditions rank near the bottom nationally—49th for rural arterials and 48th for urban arterials. The Ocean State performed worse than every other New England state and trails only New York in the Northeast. Analysts and lawmakers point to poor value for money, ongoing bridge problems including the costly Washington Bridge repairs, and the need for better maintenance priorities even as safety rankings remain strong.