Montana ranks in the top ten for overall highway performance and "cost effectiveness" in a report from the Reason Foundation.

The study found the state in 9th place in that general category, which was the same in 2011. The Reason Foundation released figures on other factors in the their annual Highway Report.

For instance, on the other end of the scale, Montana ranks 48th among the states for fatality rate. It is 13th in the percentage of deficient bridges and 28th as far as pavement conditions of the interstate highways, which is to be expected with the size of the state.

Pavement conditions in rural "arterial" roads was not good - ranking 37th. However, the congestion ranking of interstate roads through urban areas put Montana in 7th place in the nation. Again, not much of a surprise when you consider the low population of Montana's major cities.

The study is based on 2012 figures - the most recent spending and performance date submitted by state highway agencies to the federal government. The report is online at reason.org.

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