Government Market News StaffMore than 222,000 bridges in the U.S. – about 36 percent – need major repair, including 76,000 that should be replaced, according to an analysis of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDoT) 2023 National Bridge Inventory (NBI) database.
Nearly 42,400 of the bridges that need repair are in poor condition, according to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), which conducted the analysis.
The cost to replace or repair those bridges is estimated at more than $319 billion, based on average cost data states submitted to USDoT.
States currently have access to $10.6 billion from the federal 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which could be used to make repairs. Another $15.9 billion will be available in the next three years.
States have committed $3.2 billion for 2,060 bridge projects, with an additional $7.4 billion still coming as FY2023 closes Sept. 30.
Eight states have committed more than 66 percent of their available bridge formula funds:
- Idaho – 100%.
- Georgia – 100%.
- Alabama – 97%.
- Arizona – 88%.
- Indiana – 81.5%.
- Florida – 80%.
- Texas – 78%.
- Arkansas – 68%.
Another 31 have committed 33 percent of their available funds.
States have the next four years to decide how and when to commit formula bridge program funding for their respective bridge projects.
