Tennessee Highways Again Rank Among Best in the Nation

Chattanoogan.com
December 7, 2005

Nashville — The roads in Tennessee are still among the best in the nation according to a magazine representing the industry that uses the roads the most — the truckers. This is the eighth consecutive year, Overdrive, the largest magazine for truckers, has ranked Tennessee’s highways among the top five in the country, again ranking the state in third place behind Texas and Florida.

“This is something of which we can be proud. It’s challenging to maintain our interstate system at this level, but it’s a challenge we are determined to meet for the safety and mobility of Tennesseans,” stated Gov. Bredesen. “We want to continue to earn this kind of recognition.”

“Our maintenance forces and planning teams do all they can to keep our highways in the safest and smoothest condition possible,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “It is also important to note that such consistent quality is also the result of the product delivered by the contractors who work with TDOT on the state’s roadways.”

Commissioner Nicely added that the state’s transportation infrastructure is aging and requires constant maintenance, while the number of vehicles using Tennessee’s interstates grows by approximately 4.5 percent each year.

“It’s a joy to travel in our state for many reasons and when traveling by car we can all have confidence that we are riding on some of the safest roads in the country,” said House Transportation Committee Chairman Phillip Pinion. “That doesn’t happen by accident that takes a lot of dedication and planning.”

“Recognition of this kind goes a long way towards furthering Tennessee's economic and transportation goals," Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Mark Norris said. "And maintaining these roadways also represents a sound investment in Tennessee."

Each year, Overdrive Magazine polls drivers who deliver freight around the country asking them to rate the nation’s roads, state by state. The survey includes opinions about the quality of the roads, the smoothness of the riding surface, road markings, construction detour availability and more. Overdrive Magazine began conducting the survey 14 years ago.

The Executive Vice President of the Tennessee Road Builders Association, Kent Starwalt agreed that the good results are a joint effort. “All Tennesseans should be proud that the user fees they pay for the construction and maintenance of the highway system are well spent, and the survey proves that Tennessee’s contractors, in conjunction with TDOT, build some of the best quality roads not only in the southeast, but all across the country.”

The five best and worst roads as mentioned by Overdrive Magazine are listed below:
Best Roads
1. Texas
2. Florida
3. Tennessee
4. Georgia,Ohio
5. Nevada,Virginia

Worst Roads
1. Pennsylvania
2. Missouri
3. Louisiana
4. Michigan
5. California

Overdrive is a monthly magazine distributed to trucking industry representatives around the country.