Study: Iowa bridges deteriorating
Briana Byrd - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: Metro
Out of Iowa's 5,153 bridges, 21 percent were ranked structurally deficient, according to a study recently released by a national transportation research group called the Road Transportation Program.
The Feb. 20 study examined the structural efficiency of bridges throughout the country and ranked Iowa as fourth worst. Aside from over one-fourth of the bridges being "in need of immediate repair or replacement" because of deterioration, another 6 percent of Iowa's bridges don't meet current design and safety standards, according to the study.
The crumbling infrastructure is one of the top five items the Iowa Legislature is dealing with this year, said Rep. David Jacoby, D-Coralville.
"We want to make sure we're constantly testing out bridges for safety," he said. "No one wants to see another incident like what happened in Minnesota."
The cost of repairing the structurally deficient bridges is approximately $257 million, and that figure could increase because of the escalating prices in construction materials.
"There is an unmet need of about $120 million, because the federal government has not met its obligation for the Department of Transportation, so the states are left holding the bag and must make up that shortfall," Jacoby said.
Although the Iowa Department of Transportation can repair or replace approximately 20 bridges each year, the number will drop to 15 this year, according to the study.
Bridges that have minimal use could be closed if deemed unsafe, Jacoby said.
"We hope not to do that, but part of the problem for the last eight years is tax cuts and ignoring the infrastructure," he said. "We have a commitment to the roads and bridges if we want to stay competitive. No one will want to move to Iowa if they can't get there."
Johnson County has a regular replacement cycle in order to help determine which bridges should be updated, said Johnson County Supervisor Sally Stutsman.
According to the road-use tax formula, each year a percentage of tax dollars must be used for road and bridge improvements. The formula's structure is being re-examined, Jacoby said.
The Feb. 20 study examined the structural efficiency of bridges throughout the country and ranked Iowa as fourth worst. Aside from over one-fourth of the bridges being "in need of immediate repair or replacement" because of deterioration, another 6 percent of Iowa's bridges don't meet current design and safety standards, according to the study.
The crumbling infrastructure is one of the top five items the Iowa Legislature is dealing with this year, said Rep. David Jacoby, D-Coralville.
"We want to make sure we're constantly testing out bridges for safety," he said. "No one wants to see another incident like what happened in Minnesota."
The cost of repairing the structurally deficient bridges is approximately $257 million, and that figure could increase because of the escalating prices in construction materials.
"There is an unmet need of about $120 million, because the federal government has not met its obligation for the Department of Transportation, so the states are left holding the bag and must make up that shortfall," Jacoby said.
Although the Iowa Department of Transportation can repair or replace approximately 20 bridges each year, the number will drop to 15 this year, according to the study.
Bridges that have minimal use could be closed if deemed unsafe, Jacoby said.
"We hope not to do that, but part of the problem for the last eight years is tax cuts and ignoring the infrastructure," he said. "We have a commitment to the roads and bridges if we want to stay competitive. No one will want to move to Iowa if they can't get there."
Johnson County has a regular replacement cycle in order to help determine which bridges should be updated, said Johnson County Supervisor Sally Stutsman.
According to the road-use tax formula, each year a percentage of tax dollars must be used for road and bridge improvements. The formula's structure is being re-examined, Jacoby said.
Be the first to comment on this story