Bridge inspection data indicates nearly 67,000 bridges in the U.S. are considered structurally deficient, suffering from deterioration to at least one major component.
Inspectors issue bridge ratings and scores using a range of tests, which states then report to the Federal Highway Administration. Governing compiled 2012 bridge inspection data by state, listed below.
As of 2012, the following states reported having the highest percentage of structurally-deficient bridges: Pennsylvania (24.4 percent), Oklahoma (22.6 percent), Iowa (21.2 percent), Rhode Island (20.6 percent) and South Dakota (20.6 percent). A Governing analysis of bridge data found a disparity in conditions, with bridges owned by local governments more than twice as likely to be considered structurally deficient as those on state roads.
Structurally-deficient bridges are not considered unsafe for travel -- transportation agencies close those bridges.
Select your state below to view its 2012 bridge data. Please note that only bridges longer than 20 feet are typically inspected.
Bridge Inspections Definitions: State Bridges: Include state toll roads, state parks and other state agencies Local Bridges: Include counties, cities, towns, local parks, other local agencies and local tolls. Structurally-Deficient Bridges: Bridge had deterioration to one or more major components, but is not unsafe. Functionally-Obsolete Bridges:Bridge was built using outdated standards, such as older design features.
Bridges localities own are more than twice as likely to be considered structurally deficient as those on state roads. View detailed bridge inspection data for your state.
As transportation advocates push for bridge upgrades in response to the collapse in Washington state last week, it’s clear that some states have far more work to do than others.
The Washington state bridge that collapsed Thursday night shared a trait with a bridge in Minneapolis, which fell Aug. 1, 2007.
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