Report: One in 10 U.S. Bridges Are in Need of Repair

Press Release

More than 63,000 bridges in the United States are deficient, according to analysis of federal data from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, and as reported this morning in the Washington Post.

Drivers cross these bridges more than 250 million times every day, according to the report.

Funding for repairing these bridges relies heavily on the Highway Trust Fund. Unfortunately, that federal funding is on a course to reach critically low levels as soon as this summer. Without action from Congress, many states could put projects to repair roads and bridges on hold, and in fact, many already have.

Senator Murray has called on Congress to replenish the Highway Trust Fund to avoid losing critical investments in our roads and bridges, especially because those projects help drivers, create jobs, and ensure businesses can move their goods quickly and efficiently.

"Congress has a choice to make in the coming months: either invest in our nation's infrastructure to make vital repairs to roads and bridges across the country, or continue to let the nation's infrastructure deteriorate further, which would hurt workers, drivers, and the economy," Senator Murray said today. "I am calling on all of my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, to avoid this looming crisis and come together as soon as possible to invest in infrastructure and in the safety of our nation's roads and bridges."

The Post article points out that deficient bridges don't just affect drivers; they can also hurt consumers. When a bridge deteriorates, it can no longer support the weight it once did. When weight restrictions become necessary, trucks that carry products and goods must find alternative, often more indirect, routes that add time to deliveries. Those delays add extra costs that can trickle down to the consumer.

Bridges deemed deficient do not mean that the bridges are in immediate danger of collapsing. The distinction means the bridge needs to be monitored or repaired.

Source