The American Road & Transportation Builders Association has recently released a report indicating that one-third of bridges in the United States are in need of repair or replacement. The report highlights the ongoing efforts of states to reduce the number of bridges in poor condition, bringing the total down to 42,067 from 42,391 in 2023. Overall, nearly 221,800 bridges across the country require major repairs or replacement, with 76,175 bridges needing to be replaced.
Among the states with the largest number of poor bridges are Iowa, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Missouri. Recent incidents such as the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge and Pittsburgh’s Fern Hollow Bridge have underscored the importance of addressing the deteriorating infrastructure across the country. As of 2021, the backlog for bridge repairs has reached $125 billion, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The ASCE has emphasized the need to increase spending on bridge repair to $22.7 billion annually, up from the current $14.4 billion. The estimated cost of all necessary bridge repairs is a staggering $400 billion. Despite these daunting figures, there has been progress in improving the conditions of bridges over the past five years, with the number of bridges in fair condition increasing and the number of poor bridges decreasing.
Federal funds from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act have been instrumental in supporting states’ efforts to repair and replace bridges. The IIJA provided $27.5 billion in formula funds to states for bridge repairs, in addition to another $12.5 billion allocated for 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.
Despite the challenges ahead, there has been significant progress in states like Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Louisiana, and West Virginia in reducing the number of bridges in poor condition. The remaining funds from the IIJA, along with the additional $10.6 billion to be provided in the next two years, will continue to support much-needed bridge improvements well into the future. States such as Georgia, North Dakota, Indiana, and Florida have already committed a substantial portion of their available bridge formula funds to address the critical infrastructure needs.
The urgent need for repairing and replacing bridges across the United States cannot be overstated. With a significant number of bridges in poor condition and a growing backlog of repairs, it is imperative that states continue to prioritize infrastructure investments and utilize federal funding to address this critical issue. The safety and efficiency of the country’s transportation network depend on the timely repair and replacement of deteriorating bridges.