May/June 2020

PE Report
Bridges Receive Grade of ‘D,’ for Deficient

While the number of structurally deficient bridges declined by 900 between 2018 and 2019, still 37% of all US bridges—nearly 231,000—need major repair work or should be replaced, according to an American Road & Transportation Builders Association analysis of federal data.

The more than 46,000 bridges considered structurally deficient and in poor condition are crossed 178 million times a day. An additional 81,000 bridges should be replaced.

The findings are based on analysis of the Department of Transportation’s 2019 National Bridge Inventory database.

ARTBA estimates the cost to make the identified repairs for all 231,000 bridges at nearly $164 billion, based on average cost data published by the Federal Highway Administration. Although these bridges may not be imminently unsafe, they need attention. Over 69,500 bridges across the country are posted for load.

Over the last five years, Pennsylvania has reduced the number of its structurally deficient bridges by 1,200. Other states with large decreases: Oklahoma (753), Indiana (467), Ohio (412), and Virginia (391).

In 12 states, the number of structurally deficient bridges increased over the five years, including: West Virginia (plus 472), Illinois (260), Florida (131), Missouri (80), and Montana (77).

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