Oregon Public Broadcasting

A new study says Oregon's roads and bridges are some of the best kept in the nation -- for the money.  That's according to the 17th annual highway systems report from the non-profit think-tank the Reason Foundation.

David Hartgen teaches transportation studies at University of North Carolina, Charlotte, and he wrote the study.  He said Oregon ranks 11th in overall performance, and has the best urban roads in the country.

His study found the state in the middle of the pack for congestion and for the percentage of bridges rated "structurally deficient."

David Hartgen: "My numbers are from 2006 and they don't include these most recent changes including the big run up in gasoline prices and the drops in revenues.  Oregon rated quite well in my rankings, but there is certainly dark waters ahead for many states."

Hartgen said decreased revenue from federal gas taxes is a concern.  That revenue pays for improvements to roads and bridges.

The study comes at the same time that Oregon's governor is announcing a comprehensive transportation package for the 2009 legislature to address what he calls the state's "woefully inadequate" infrastructure.