9% of US bridges ‘structurally deficient’

Just over 9% of the bridges in the US are structurally deficient, according to a report from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

The ASCE reported that the percentage of structurally deficient bridges in the US has actually decreased from 12.1% to 9.1% since 2009.

However, approximately 13% of the nation’s bridges are functionally obsolete and around 15% were built between 40 and 49 years ago and will soon reach the end of their functional lifespan.

The ASCE said the traveling public makes 188 million trips across structurally deficient bridges every day. Although the percentage of structurally deficient bridges has decreased, the number of bridges now approaching the 50-year, useful life mark presents a challenge.

The society projected it would cost approximately US$123 billion to rehabilitate the nation’s bridges.

Following the recent disaster in Genoa, Italy, bridges in both emerging and developed markets are coming under increased scrutiny.