(The Center Square) – Virginia’s highways slipped from the best in the country to fourth place, dropping from the top spot held last year.
The drop is linked to increasing traffic congestion and rising maintenance costs.
The ranking is according to the 28th Annual Highway Report from the Reason Foundation, which evaluates states based on road conditions, spending and safety.
“In terms of improving in the road condition and performance categories, Virginia should focus on reducing maintenance disbursements and urbanized area congestion. Traffic congestion is a growing problem in Northern Virginia, Richmond, Hampton Roads, and along I-81. The state is not addressing the problem quickly enough,” said Baruch Feigenbaum, author and senior managing director of transportation policy at the Reason Foundation.
Feigenbaum also emphasized that “Reducing the rural fatality rate in the state should also be a priority, as Virginia ranks 35th this year.”
The report shows that while Virginia leads the nation in capital and bridge spending, spending $15,981 per lane-mile, well below expected costs of $43,388. Virginia ranks 29th in maintenance spending, putting $18,505 per lane-mile on maintenance, higher than the expected $14,904.
In terms of road conditions, Virginia ranked 26th in urban interstate pavement condition and 35th in rural fatality rate. Traffic congestion also remains an issue, with Virginia taking the 37th spot. Urban commuters spend an average of 39 hours per year stuck in traffic, according to the report.
Compared to nearby states, Virginia outperforms Maryland (32nd), West Virginia (33rd) and Tennessee (fifth) but falls behind North Carolina, which ranked first.
Notably, Virginia’s congestion ranking dropped from 24th to 37th, suggesting gridlock is only intensifying, specifically in Northern Virginia, Richmond, Hampton Roads and along I-81.
Virginia has already outlined several major transportation infrastructure projects, including Senate Bill 1082, which proposes improvements to the James River Bridge and the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, and awaits the governor’s signature.
The Central Virginia Transport Authority allocated $230 million to 22 regional infrastructure projects, including sidewalk installations and enhanced highway access.
The Virginia Department of Transportation earmarked $40 million for the US Route 11 Intersection Improvements and widening in the Bristol district as part of its 2025 Design-Build projects.
