TOPEKA ? A new report from a libertarian-leaning think tank rates the Kansas highway system second among states for its overall condition and cost-effectiveness.

The Reason Foundation ranked Kansas only behind North Dakota in its annual report on state road systems. In the previous two years, the Los Angeles-based group rated Kansas third in the nation.

The foundation said Kansas kept its highways in good condition while having lower-than-average costs per-mile for maintenance and administrative costs.

The latest report was based on data reported to the federal government in 2009. The following year, Kansas started a 10-year, $8 billion transportation program, following up on programs in 1989 and 1999.

Transportation Secretary Mike King said Tuesday that Kansas will continue to have a “world-class” system.