America’s bridge infrastructure is receiving unprecedented attention as federal, state and local officials confront decades of deferred maintenance and escalating transportation demands. According to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s latest audit, approximately one out of every three bridges in the United States requires major repair, rehabilitation or replacement.
More than 42,000 bridges are currently rated in poor condition, while roughly 221,000 nationwide require significant work just to remain safe and functional. Americans make an estimated 163 million trips across deficient bridges every day, underscoring the urgency of modernization efforts.
Past funding provided through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) accelerated project delivery, but transportation experts note that the nation’s bridge replacement backlog remains substantial. Industry estimates place the cost of addressing current bridge repair and replacement needs at hundreds of billions of dollars, creating a robust pipeline of opportunities for engineering firms, contractors, material suppliers, technology providers and infrastructure investors for decades to come.
Across the country, public agencies are advancing bridge replacement projects that will improve safety, increase resilience, support economic development and enhance mobility. Thousands of upcoming projects are currently in the planning stages or seeking funding throughout America.
A $26.1 million bridge replacement project is planned for Interstate 55 in Chicago. Led by the Illinois Department of Transportation, the project will replace the interstate bridge at Cicero Avenue and improve a critical segment of one of the region’s primary freight and commuter corridors.
The bridge replacement is part of a broader program of I-55 corridor improvements that include deck overlays, bridge joint repairs and replacements, pavement patching, resurfacing, drainage enhancements, lighting modernization and intelligent transportation system upgrades. The objective is to extend the service life of aging infrastructure while maintaining traffic flow through one of the region’s busiest urban transportation corridors. The project is currently in the planning stage, with construction anticipated to begin in 2027.
Officials in Phoenix, Arizona, are advancing a $29 million project to improve North Valley Parkway through construction of the Sonoran Wash Bridge. The effort will enhance transportation reliability and connectivity in one of the city’s fastest-growing areas while addressing longstanding flooding issues that regularly disrupt travel along the corridor.
Project plans include widening the parkway, adding travel lanes, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, street lighting and raised medians, along with construction of a new bridge spanning Sonoran Wash. Flooding events currently force roadway closures that create significant travel delays and restrict access for residents, businesses and emergency responders.
Following engineering evaluations, city officials determined that a bridge crossing is necessary to establish a dependable all-weather transportation link. The project will extend the corridor approximately 4,000 feet and improve mobility throughout the North Valley area. Design work began in January 2026 and is expected to continue for approximately 36 months, with construction scheduled to begin in 2029.
Officials in Bridgeport, Connecticut, have announced plans for a $57.6 million replacement of Congress Street Bridge. The project will reconnect the city’s East Side with downtown Bridgeport across the Pequannock River and is supported by a $24.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The original Congress Street Bridge failed in 1997 and was demolished in 2010. Although a replacement structure was designed years ago, funding delays postponed construction. Once completed, the new bridge will improve neighborhood connectivity, strengthen access, enhance emergency response times and support redevelopment efforts throughout the surrounding area. The project is currently in preconstruction and federal grant-processing stages, with construction expected to begin in 2027.
San Francisco officials are preparing for a $60 million replacement of the Islais Creek Bridge along Third Street in the Bayview District. The project will replace a critical crossing over the Islais Creek channel between Cargo Way and Marin Street, improving mobility for vehicles, transit services, pedestrians, bicyclists and freight traffic serving the Port of San Francisco.
Public Works officials have determined that the existing bridge has experienced significant structural deterioration. The replacement structure will meet current engineering standards while enhancing safety, resiliency and long-term reliability throughout the corridor. Project plans include demolition of the existing bridge, utility upgrades, bridge equipment modernization, roadway improvements and expanded pedestrian and bicycle accommodations. The design will also incorporate features to improve resilience against future sea-level rise impacts. Currently, the project remains in the early design phase, with construction procurement expected in 2028.
Transportation officials in Kansas City and North Kansas City, Missouri, are working with planners to replace the aging I-29/I-35 viaduct bridges in a project expected to exceed $20 million. Funding will be provided through the Missouri Department of Transportation.
The project will modernize a heavily traveled interstate corridor that carries substantial commuter and freight traffic through Clay and Jackson counties. Several viaduct structures spanning Guinotte Avenue, East Front Street and major rail corridors will be replaced. Planned improvements include updated bridge configurations, enhanced ramp movements, improved lane alignments and traffic management measures designed to maintain mobility throughout construction.
Current plans require that two lanes remain open in each direction during construction activities. The project will address aging infrastructure conditions while improving safety, reliability and traffic flow along one of the region’s most important transportation corridors. Design work is underway, and construction is scheduled to begin in 2027.
The growing number of bridge replacement projects moving through planning and procurement reflects a nationwide commitment to modernizing critical transportation assets. With thousands of aging bridges still requiring significant investment, opportunities will continue to emerge for firms that provide engineering, construction, inspection, technology, materials and project management services. As public agencies work to improve safety, resilience and mobility, bridge infrastructure will remain one of the most active and opportunity-rich sectors of the nation’s transportation market for years to come.
