Despite billions of dollars in annual federal, state and local funds directed toward the maintenance of existing bridges, 68,842 bridges – representing more than 11 percent of total highway bridges in the U.S. – are classified as “structurally deficient,” according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Structurally deficient bridges require significant maintenance, rehabilitation or replacement. A number of bridges also exceed their expected lifespan of 50 years. The average age of an American bridge is 42 years.
This story map, entitled Answering Critical Questions about Critical Infrastructure: Bridges delivers compelling insight to the condition for one our nation's most important pieces of infrastructure, our bridges.
For more information on the subject from national advocacy and associations, please visit Transportation for America and National Association of Counties.
