Dangerous constructions: 10 states of America with the most unreliable bridges

Do you experience fear or anxiety when you drive across bridges in the US? These emotions are not unfounded. The reality is that some American bridges are on the verge of collapse. AZAnimals.

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From broken concrete to unstable beams, inefficient bridges can easily obstruct traffic flow and endanger drivers' lives.

Here are the top 10 states with defective bridges.

1. West Virginia

Did you know that there were approximately 2022 bridges in West Virginia in 7314? Unfortunately, about 21% or 1531 of these bridges are classified by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as structurally deficient. Even more worrying is that almost half of these complex structures are rural roads used daily.

Additionally, 90 of these bridges are located on interstate highways. The most frequently used bridge is I-64 over County Route 61/12 in Kanawha County. This bridge was built in 1974 and today 203 people cross it every day.

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In 2020, government officials replaced the bridge's deck in hopes of raising it to "satisfactory" condition during the next inspection. However, there is still a lot of work to be done to keep West Virginia's bridges safe. It is estimated that the state needs about $2 billion to repair the bridges.

2. Iowa

There are approximately 24 bridges in Iowa, which is a huge number. Unfortunately, a staggering 043 bridges across the state have been classified as structurally deficient by the FHWA. That's almost 4575% of the state's bridges. However, there is some relief - this number has decreased since 20, when it was even higher (2015).

Of all the structurally imperfect bridges, only six are on interstate highways. Fortunately, Iowa has seen significant improvements in recent years. A whopping $2005 million has been spent on bridge upgrades since 11! It is important to put safety first and invest in infrastructure repairs. This will allow future generations to continue using reliable transportation routes across the state.

The US Highway 67 bridge made headlines recently. He continues to capture the attention of the public with his story of renewal and progress. In honor of Master Sgt, this bridge was officially renamed the Stanley Talbot Memorial Bridge. It has been in use since its grand opening in 1940. The bridge connects Davenport, Iowa and Rock Island, Illinois across the mighty Mississippi River.

3. Rhode Island

Of the 779 bridges, 174 (or 22,3%) were classified by the FHWA as structurally defective in 2019. Much needs to be done to keep all of the state's bridges in excellent condition.

Of these substandard bridges, 25 are located on interstate highways. Six are on the 10 busiest routes in the state, all located in Providence County and Providence. The busiest of these bridges is I-95 over US Highway 6.
The Providence I-95 Viaduct, built in 1964, is crossed by 171 people daily. But this spring, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation is taking action. They are investing in a comprehensive project to reconstruct 707 bridges on the viaduct. They will also build a new roadway to help eliminate conflict and congestion on the US Highway 11-State Route 6 Connector.

The state is committing $1,8 billion to bridge repairs, a promising step forward. With these improvements, drivers can look forward to smoother, safer driving on Rhode Island roads.

4. South Dakota

In 2015, the Federal Highway Administration determined that 1066 of South Dakota's 5886 bridges had design flaws. Thankfully, that number has dropped by about 17% since then, to 991. While still an alarming number, progress is being made.

Four of the 10 failing and heavily used bridges in South Dakota are located near Sioux Falls in Minnehaha County. One bridge that particularly stands out is US Highway 12, which crosses Moccasin Creek near Aberdeen in Brown County. This historic bridge was built in 1954. Since then, it has been serving passengers for over 50 years, providing crossings for over 1000 vehicles every day.

Another notable bridge in South Dakota is the Pine Street Bridge in Yankton. This bridge is a National Historic Site with over 1000 vehicles passing by daily. It boasts an impressive "satisfactory" superstructure condition. Despite an excellent rating, in 2018 it was recognized as the most imperfect bridge in South Dakota. It is crossed 19 times daily.

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According to Bruce Schroeder, an engineer with the South Dakota Department of Transportation, the Highway 12 bridge over Moccasin Creek has "unsatisfactory ratings". It is regularly tested and is considered a bridge without any security threats or load limits. But if South Dakota wants to keep its bridges running after 2026, it will have to pay a huge bill of $534,8 million! Fortunately, steps are being taken to repair government bridges and ensure their longevity.

5. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has made significant progress in improving road and highway infrastructure. Between 2015 and 2019, the state achieved an impressive 28% reduction in bridges with structural defects. Their number has been reduced from 4701 to 3353. While this is an outstanding achievement, much remains to be done. There are still over 100 substandard bridges, nine of which are located in the Wissinoming area of ​​Philadelphia County alone.

One of the most visited bridges in need of urgent repair is located near Wissinoming. It intersects Comley Street with I-95. The bridge was built in 1967 and is crossed by 194 people daily, making it an important component of the state's infrastructure.

Another notable bridge is the Albert Gallatin Memorial Bridge, also known as the Point Marion Bridge. It replaced the ferry on the Monongahela River in 1930. This bridge is an impressive engineering landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. It was destroyed in 2009 and replaced.

In March 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) met a critical need for improved infrastructure. It was announced that a massive I-95 renovation and improvement project would begin later this month. The project includes the replacement of the bridge over Comley Street. PennDOT completed northbound lanes by fall 2021. Workers will complete repairs to southbound lanes in 2023.

Necessary bridge repairs in the state cost $12,7 billion.

6. Louisiana

Of the 12 bridges in Louisiana, 853, or 1 percent, are classified as structurally defective. The state must take action.

The backlog of maintenance work in the state currently stands at a whopping $15 billion, according to Louisiana officials. That's a lot of money, given the long wish list for new projects, such as renovating a bridge over the Calcasieu River. This bridge is crossed daily by 86 people.

Although Louisiana will receive about $7,5 billion from the infrastructure package, it will still need additional funding. Louisiana residents need to be creative in funding these projects.

7. Maine

There are 2485 bridges in Maine, 315 of them (or 12,6%) are classified as defective. This figure indicates that one or more of the main elements have failed and require immediate attention.

The vast majority of these unsafe bridges are found throughout Cumberland County. Many other upstate and rural areas of the state are also suffering from infrastructure repair needs. One major problem lies in Penobscot County, where only 59 out of 295 bridges are in good condition. Moreover, in several counties, an alarmingly high percentage of bridges are in poor condition. These counties include Cumberland, 20% in need of repair, Hancock, 21%, Washington, 23%, and Somerset, a shocking 27% in need of repair.

The Maine Department of Transportation estimates that $48,9 million will be needed to repair all of these bridges. Unfortunately, for many years, Miners will struggle with the lack of investment in infrastructure.

8. North Dakota

There are 4285 bridges in North Dakota, used by about 21 people daily. Unfortunately, not all bridges in the state are in perfect condition. Eleven percent of them are classified as structurally defective. Many of these bridges are historic, such as the Sorlie Memorial Bridge between Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. This bridge was completed in 500. In 1929, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Weathering floods, such as the 1997 Red River flood, often cause significant damage to aging structures. This is one of the main reasons why bridge repairs have become a top priority for North Dakotans. The state estimates that $243,6 million will be required to repair all existing defective bridges.

With significant investment, it is hoped that more people will be able to safely travel across North Dakota's bridges with peace of mind as they move from Minnesota to their beautiful home state.

9. Michigan

Did you know that Michigan's infrastructure needs are much greater than many people think? Of the 11 bridges in the state, 314 have structural defects. This means that critical elements of these structures have fallen into poor or worse condition, thereby potentially endangering passengers.

The recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill is an important first step in addressing this issue, with more than $7,3 billion sent to Michigan to repair roads and bridges. On the other hand, this will not be enough to keep roads and bridges safe for movement in the coming years.

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Lance Binoniemi, vice president of public relations for the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association, expressed his excitement at the prospect of a significant increase in federal funding for infrastructure projects in the state. While he is grateful for the additional $1,7 billion the government has provided, he noted that the amount may not be enough to rid Michigan of its longstanding infrastructure problems.

As Michigan's road system is irreparably damaged, the state must do more. Change must happen soon if Michigan is to keep up with the global demand for advanced transportation systems. However, these investments signal hope for the future of Michigan's roads and bridges, bolstering the state's confidence in its ability to make smart investments on behalf of its citizens.

10. Oklahoma

There are approximately 23 bridges in Oklahoma, but the sad truth is that 680% of them suffer from age and neglect. This means that more than 9,9 bridges are classified as defective and require major repairs. Surprisingly, half of these bridges were built before 5200.

One noteworthy example is the I-40 over the Crooked Oak Creek Bridge, built over six decades ago. With over 87 crossings per day, this is one of the many dilapidated bridges in dire need of repair. Bridge problems in the state are so common that the total cost of needed repairs could be $300 billion.

Over the years, the state has taken several steps to address this problem by increasing funding for road construction and repair projects throughout Oklahoma. They also highlighted measures to improve safety, including the repair of these vital bridges.

For travelers

Despite the poor condition of many bridges in the United States, there is still hope for those who live or travel in these 10 states. At different speeds, all states address their bridge repair needs with well-designed plans. The Department of Transportation in every state has identified problems and proposed solutions, from fast track repairs to long term overhauls.

Various strategies are being developed to revive these aging structures and make them as safe and durable as possible. While it may be many years before all 10 bridges in these states are fully repaired, these potential solutions give us hope for the future of transportation in America.

Bridge maintenance can have a huge impact on a state's overall infrastructure. Whenever you drive anywhere in these states, be alert and aware of the potentially hazardous conditions.

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