The latest annual bridge report from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association reveals a concerning statistic – one-third of bridges in the U.S. are in need of repair or replacement. This translates to nearly 221,800 bridges requiring major repairs, with 76,175 bridges in urgent need of replacement. The report, based on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 2024 National Bridge Inventory, highlights the ongoing efforts by states to address the issue. Despite progress, there are still 42,067 bridges classified as “structurally deficient,” down slightly from 42,391 in 2023.
Iowa leads the nation in terms of the highest number of poor bridges, followed closely by Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Missouri. Recent incidents such as the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge and Pittsburgh’s Fern Hollow Bridge serve as stark reminders of the dire state of many bridges in the country. The collapse of these bridges, attributed to factors like ship collisions and corroded steel legs, underscore the importance of proactive maintenance and repair efforts.
The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that the bridge-repair backlog in the U.S. amounts to a staggering $125 billion. To address this backlog effectively, spending on bridge repairs needs to increase significantly – from the current $14.4 billion annually to $22.7 billion. The cost of making all necessary repairs is estimated at a whopping $400 billion. While these numbers may seem overwhelming, the recent infusion of federal funds from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has been a crucial lifeline for states struggling to maintain their bridge infrastructure.
Despite the daunting financial challenges, there has been notable progress in improving the condition of bridges over the last five years. The number of bridges considered to be in fair condition has increased, while the number of poor bridges has declined. The federal funds allocated through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act have played a critical role in supporting state efforts to address the bridge repair backlog. States have received $15.9 billion in the first three years of the act’s implementation, with 46% of the funds already committed to over 4,170 bridge projects.
Looking ahead, the remaining funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, along with additional funding in the next two years, will continue to support much-needed bridge improvements across the country. Twenty-three states have already committed at least half of their available bridge formula funds, with some states like Georgia, North Dakota, Indiana, and Florida demonstrating a strong commitment by allocating nearly all of their funds. These proactive measures are crucial in ensuring the safety and efficiency of the nation’s bridge network for the traveling public.