America’s Bridges Are Falling Apart
by Matt Sonnhalter, Vision Architect
1 in 3 U.S. Bridges Needs Repair or Replacement
This infographic from Statista shows the Top 7 U.S. states by the number of structurally deficient bridges in 2020.
Who knew Iowa had so many bridges? I always thought of rows and rows of corn fields for them. 🙂
The full 2021 Bridge Conditions Report from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) is alarming. Here are some key highlights and figures:
- 220,000 of U.S. bridges—36 percent—need repair work
- 79,500 of U. S. bridges need replacementÂ
- At the current pace, it would take nearly 40 years to repair the current backlog of “structurally deficient” (SD) bridges
- Motorists drive across structurally deficient bridges 171.5 million times daily
- A structurally deficient bridge, on average, is nearly 68 years old, compared to 32 years for a bridge in good condition and 54 years for a bridge in fair condition.
Bridge inspections generally occur once every 24 months. Bridge ratings are updated as inspections are completed—each year some bridges are classified as poor or structurally deficient and others are removed from that category as they undergo repair, rehabilitation or replacement.
How are the bridges and infrastructure in your hometown?