Lessons learned from the country’s best bridge infrastructure programs.
The poor condition of bridges in many parts of the United States has repeatedly been in the news lately. Recent negotiations over an infrastructure bill in Washington has made more people aware of how many bridges are structurally deficient or otherwise compromised.
There are many issues with the nation’s bridges, but some states are getting it right. Here are the top 10 by the numbers, along with a few reasons that their bridge infrastructure is above and beyond. The data comes from a 2020 report by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association.
1. Nevada
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of bridge inventory: 1.4%
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of total bridge deck area: 1.0%
Number of structurally deficient bridges: 28
Number of bridges: 2,056
Nevada is the model state for running a top-notch yet cost-effective bridge maintenance program. Even though its road-related spending falls near the national average, it has the best bridge infrastructure in the United States. The percentage of structurally deficient viaducts is the lowest in the country. The state’s relatively small population, concentrated in a few urban pockets, and the revenue that it earns from legal gambling are factors that help make its bridge and road programs successful.
2. Texas
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of bridge inventory: 1.5%
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of total bridge deck area: 1.0%
Number of structurally deficient bridges: 818
Number of bridges: 54,682
Texas handles more of America’s cargo than any other state, upward of $2 trillion worth annually, according to figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. It’s one of the reasons that it makes a big commitment to transportation infrastructure. It has among the fewest structurally deficient bridges in the United States, a close second to Nevada. The condition of the state’s bridges has improved since Hurricane Harvey decimated many of them in 2017. Federal emergency funds were put toward building them back better than they were before the storm.
3. Arizona
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of bridge inventory: 1.6%
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of total bridge deck area: 2.0%
Number of structurally deficient bridges: 132
Number of bridges: 8,428
Much like those of Nevada, Arizona’s bridges are less impacted by weather events than those in other states because of the state’s relatively mild climate. Still, Arizona makes a big commitment to infrastructure. It’s one of the fastest-growing states in the U.S. and has learned that it must plan ahead for rapid expansion or it will fall behind. Bridges and roads could quickly become strained, and the state might never recover. Tourism and a commitment to getting visitors to remote places like the Grand Canyon and Sedona are other reasons that Arizona spends money on its bridges and roads.
4. Utah
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of bridge inventory: 2.0%
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of total bridge deck area: 1.0%
Number of structurally deficient bridges: 62
Number of bridges: 3,062
Today, Utah’s roads and bridges are among the best in the country. One of the reasons for this is that the state wants to become a transit and commerce hub. A recent commitment to transportation infrastructure was to create a solid foundation for the Utah Inland Port, a 22,000-acre facility outside of Salt Lake City. It’s the largest public works project in the state’s history. The facility includes rail links to the Pacific Coast and freight hubs for trucks heading to other parts of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The investment in infrastructure is expected to be repaid many times over by increased commerce revenue.
5. Delaware
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of bridge inventory: 2.2%
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of total bridge deck area: 3.0%
Number of structurally deficient bridges: 19
Number of bridges: 882
Delaware finally decided to reduce its number of structurally deficient bridges in recent years, and it’s paid off. This has been particularly challenging because the state’s infrastructure is relatively old and weather conditions can be extreme. The state’s drivers now spend a relatively high amount to maintain and improve bridges, but it’s paying off in fewer closures. Officials in Delaware realized long ago that they had to put more dollars toward transportation infrastructure for the state to stay competitive on a national and global level.
6. Vermont
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of bridge inventory: 2.3%
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of total bridge deck area: 4.0%
Number of structurally deficient bridges: 66
Number of bridges: 2,827
Vermont was also facing significant bridge, road and other infrastructure issues. Much like the leaders in Delaware, Vermont officials realized that something had to change for the state to stay competitive. Their dedication to infrastructure has paid off, resulting in fewer deficient and compromised bridges.
7. Georgia
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of bridge inventory: 2.5%
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of total bridge deck area: 2.0%
Number of structurally deficient bridges: 374
Number of bridges: 14,964
Georgia’s bridges and roads, especially those around Atlanta, are among the busiest and most congested in the country. They’re also some of the best maintained. One of the top reasons for the state’s decision to spend tax dollars on transportation is the contribution that it makes to business and commerce. A closed bridge prevents people from getting to work and freight from being moved across the state from its ports.
8. Florida
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of bridge inventory: 3.3%
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of total bridge deck area: 1.0%
Number of structurally deficient bridges: 408
Number of bridges: 12,592
Florida is another state that spends less than the national average on bridge and road infrastructure, yet its bridges are in relatively good condition. This is surprising because the state has a vast network of roads and viaducts spread across all its parts. Add to this the extreme weather, including hurricanes and high wind events, that Florida’s bridges are often battered by. The low percentage of bridges that are structurally compromised is a testament that Florida is keeping its promise to taxpayers: that the state will take care of its transportation infrastructure. One of the reasons often cited for this commitment is the state’s dependence on tourism and delivering great experiences to visitors.
9. Alabama
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of bridge inventory: 3.8%
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of total bridge deck area: 2.0%
Number of structurally deficient bridges: 620
Number of bridges: 16,144
Alabama has been slowly reducing its number of structurally deficient bridges in recent years, and it’s come at a significant price for the state’s drivers. Bridges aren’t the only infrastructure issue that Alabama officials are dealing with, however. The state also faces serious drinking water issues and problems with its dams and school buildings.
10. Virginia
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of bridge inventory: 4.1%
Structurally deficient bridges as a percent of total bridge deck area: 3.0%
Number of structurally deficient bridges: 577
Number of bridges: 13,963
Virginia is anolder East Coast state that has reduced its number of structurally deficient bridges in recent years, but it has come at a cost to taxpayers. Virginia is an example of a state that delayed spending money on improving its infrastructure, which has only resulted in it costing more when it faced a crisis and was forced to do the work.