The recent collapse of a Baltimore bridge following a collision with a cargo ship has underscored the critical role that bridges play in the daily lives of Americans. The tragic incident resulted in the presumed loss of six construction workers and disrupted the daily commute of over 30,000 vehicles that crossed the Patapsco River via the Interstate 695 bridge. Additionally, the shutdown of shipments at the Port of Baltimore has forced businesses to seek alternative transportation methods for their goods.
While the Baltimore bridge was deemed to be in satisfactory condition before the collision, the incident has drawn attention to the state of infrastructure across the country. Thousands of bridges in the U.S. are in poor shape due to aging structural components, with approximately 42,400 bridges classified as being in poor condition. These bridges, which are on average 70 years old, carry about 167 million vehicles daily.
Inspectors rate bridges on a scale of 0-9, with a rating of 7 or above considered 'good.' A 'poor' rating indicates a score of 4 or below on any main component of the bridge. The analysis reveals that the majority of poor bridges have issues with their substructures or superstructures, with over 15,800 of them previously identified as being in poor shape a decade ago.
Notably, bridge collapses, while rare, can have devastating consequences. Ship collisions have led to major bridge failures globally, with 18 such incidents occurring in the U.S. from 1960 to 2015. In cases like the collapse over Fern Hollow Creek in Pittsburgh, lack of maintenance and repair were identified as key factors contributing to the structural failure.
The economic impact of bridge closures or collapses is significant, as demonstrated by the Interstate 35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis in 2007, which resulted in 13 fatalities and $60 million in economic losses for Minnesota. Currently, bridges in Providence, Rhode Island, and Tacoma, Washington, are closed due to safety concerns, affecting local businesses and commuters.
Recognizing the urgent need for infrastructure investment, President Joe Biden signed a law allocating $40 billion to bridge projects over five years, the largest such investment in decades. Despite this funding, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association estimates that $319 billion is required for nationwide bridge repairs, highlighting the ongoing challenges in maintaining and upgrading the country's bridges.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of addressing critical bridge repairs promptly to prevent future closures or collapses, emphasizing the necessity of continued investment in infrastructure to ensure public safety and economic stability.
