According to a recent analysis by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) using data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Bridge Inventory, over a third of the nation’s bridges require major repairs or replacement. Specifically, 36% (221,800) need repair, and 76,175 bridges should be replaced entirely. Additionally, 49% of U.S. bridges are in fair condition, indicating middling structural quality.
In the past five years, the proportion of bridges rated as “fair” has increased, while those in “poor” or “good” condition have decreased. However, progress is noted with 324 fewer bridges rated as poor and structurally deficient compared to 2023.
Extreme weather and climate change exacerbate the stress on aging bridges. A study in PLOS ONE predicts that extreme temperatures could cause one in four steel bridges to collapse by 2050. With about a quarter of U.S. bridges built before 1960, rising temperatures and increased flooding accelerate their deterioration.
ARTBA estimates that repairing all bridges would cost at least $400 billion, excluding future climate impacts. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has provided $15.9 billion for bridge projects in its first three years, with $27.5 billion allocated in total. The Bridge Investment Program, another IIJA initiative, offers an additional $12.5 billion, with $7.8 billion already awarded to 87 projects across 40 states.
Despite this funding, a $350 billion gap remains. ARTBA’s data shows that the proportion of bridges in poor condition has decreased from 7.3% in 2020 to 6.8% in 2024, with significant improvements in states like Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana. Conversely, the number of poor-condition bridges has increased in states such as New York, Kentucky, and South Carolina.
Bridges are assessed every two years, so ongoing repairs may take time to be reflected in the National Bridge Inventory data.
