One example of improvement was in the state's rural interstates, which ranked 13.4% in levels of poor condition in 1998, compared to 4.2% in 1999. The national average was 2.35%. Additional Federal money has helped both states improve their interstates, the study concludes.
South Carolina's freeways and major roads rated high despite its limited funding. It ranked last among states in funding at $23,122 per mile and last in maintenance spending at $43,806.
The study states South Carolina fared well because of its efficient road management compared to other states. The university study was based on 1999 data compiled by the Federal Highway Administration.
North Carolina maintains 78,748 miles of road, the country's second largest system after Texas. South Carolina maintains 41,706 miles with the fifth-largest state-maintained highway system.
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David Wilkening
David Wilkening began his long journalism career as a police reporter for Chicago-area newspapers. He became a writer-editor for major newspapers in Chicago, Washington, Detroit and Florida. He has been a business editor, political editor and travel editor for newspapers and magazines. He tried for a while to be a political operative but did better as an adjunct college professor teaching English and journalism. He is the author of several books, both ghost-written and under his own name. He is also a widely published freelance writer who currently lives in Orlando.
