The latest annual bridge report from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association has revealed that one-third of bridges in the U.S. are in need of repair or replacement. The report is based on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 2024 National Bridge Inventory and indicates that the number of bridges in poor condition has slightly decreased to 42,067 from 42,391 in 2023. Overall, nearly 221,800 bridges in the country require major repair or replacement, with 76,175 bridges needing to be replaced. Iowa, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Missouri are among the states with the largest numbers of poor bridges. Recent incidents such as the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge and Pittsburgh’s Fern Hollow Bridge have underscored the critical state of many spans across the nation.
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the bridge-repair backlog amounted to $125 billion in 2021. The ASCE has stated that spending on bridge repair needs to increase to $22.7 billion annually, a substantial increase from the current $14.4 billion. The ARTBA estimates that the total cost of all necessary repairs stands at a staggering $400 billion. Despite the daunting financial figures, there has been progress in improving the condition of bridges in the country over the past five years, with the number of bridges in fair condition increasing and the number of “poor” bridges decreasing.
The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has been instrumental in providing federal funds to address the nation’s bridge repair needs. The law allocated $27.5 billion in formula funds to states for bridge repairs and an additional $12.5 billion in grants through the Bridge Investment Program. States have already received $15.9 billion in formula funds and have committed 46% of that amount to over 4,170 bridge projects. The remaining funds and future allocations are expected to support ongoing bridge improvements across the country. Some states, such as Georgia, North Dakota, Indiana, and Florida, have already committed a significant portion of their available bridge formula funds to bridge projects.
While progress has been made in reducing the number of poor bridges and increasing the safety and efficiency of the nation’s bridge network, challenges still lie ahead. The need for significant investment in bridge repair and replacement remains crucial to address the infrastructure deficit. State efforts, supported by federal funding, will play a vital role in ensuring the continued improvement of the country’s bridges. The collaboration between federal and state governments, as well as the involvement of industry stakeholders, will be essential in tackling the challenges associated with bridge maintenance and repair. By prioritizing infrastructure investment and implementing sound policies, the U.S. can work towards a future where bridges are safe, reliable, and well-maintained for the benefit of all citizens.