What are the reasons behind the poor condition of U.S. bridges?

America’s bridges are in rough shape.

Over 43,000 bridges in the US are in poor condition and classified as "structurally deficient," with more than a third of the nation's bridges needing repair, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association.

A bridge that requires extensive maintenance to remain operational is typically posted with weight restrictions but is still considered safe for use.

In the U.S., approximately 167 million trips are made daily across structurally deficient bridges.

According to William Ibbs, a civil engineering professor at the University of California Berkeley, the condition of bridges in the U.S. is poor, and we are losing the battle.

In January, before President Joe Biden's scheduled visit to Pittsburgh to discuss infrastructure, one of the city's over 440 bridges collapsed, resulting in injuries to ten people, including first responders.

Other bridges collapsed in Washington state in 2013 and Minneapolis in 2007.

According to Kevin Heaslip, a civil and environmental engineering professor at Virginia Tech, we discovered that we had been putting off maintenance for an extended period, resulting in a significant backlog that we are now struggling to address due to limited funding.

In contrast to the typical 50-year lifespan of many of the country's structures, the average age of bridges in the U.S. is 44 years. Bridges that are older, have fewer lanes, and have restricted access can contribute to congestion, which can negatively affect commerce and the speed of emergency services.

Despite advancements in bridge construction, improvements in materials, and increased funding, the nation's bridge inventory still shows some modest progress.

In January, Biden declared that his administration would allocate $27 billion over the next five years to repair or replace thousands of the country's bridges. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the total cost to fix all bridges in the U.S. is estimated to be $125 billion.

What is the reason behind the deterioration of many bridges in the country and what measures are being taken to address the issue? Check out the video for more information.

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