Bridges

5 states with most structurally deficient bridges

Centennial Bridge spanning the Mississippi River between Iowa and Illinois.

The 600,000 bridges in the U.S., and the roads they connect, are crucial to the nation’s transportation network. They carry about 3 trillion vehicle miles of travel annually, accounting for about 85% of the total value of freight shipped in the U.S.

However, more than 46,000 bridges are structurally deficient, according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and some may be dangerous for truckers. Structural deficiency doesn’t necessarily mean all of these bridges are unsafe, but it does...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/5-states-with-most-structurally-deficient-bridges

News alert: Civil engineers upgrade US infrastructure to C- from D+

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave the nation’s infrastructure an overall grade of C-minus, up from a grade of D-plus four years ago, the association revealed Wednesday in its quadrennial report card.

The evaluation was based on an evaluation of 17 infrastructure categories, including roads, bridges, ports, rail, aviation and inland waterways.

2021 report card (with comparison to four years ago):

  • Roads: D (D)
  • Bridges: C (C+)
  • Ports: B- (C+)
  • Rail: B (B)
  • Aviation: D+ (D)
  • Inland...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/civil-engineers-upgrades-us-infrastructure-to-c-from-d

America’s scariest bridges for truckers: Part 3

Vehicles crossing the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington.

Crossing certain bridges can be a harrowing experience for tractor-trailer drivers. Narrow lanes and old, rickety structures make some bridges that much more nerve-wracking during violent weather. These are just a few of the scariest in the country.

Tacoma Narrows Bridge

The Tacoma Narrows Bridge is a pair of twin suspension bridges that spans a portion of Puget Sound in Pierce County, Washington. The bridges, part of state route 16, connect the city of Tacoma with the Kitsap Peninsula.

The...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/americas-scariest-bridges-for-truckers-part-3

America’s scariest bridges for truckers: Part 2

Mackinac Bridge on a wintry Michigan day.

Crossing bridges can be nerve-racking for drivers, especially professional truckers. Steep ascents and dizzying heights make some bridges that much more frightening during intense weather. These are just a few of the scariest in the country.

Mackinac Bridge

The Mackinac Bridge, which connects lower Michigan to the state’s Upper Peninsula, can definitely rattle the nerves of drivers during intense weather. Based on a social media comment made to FreightWaves by people in transportation, the bridge...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/americas-scariest-bridges-for-truckers-part-2

America’s scariest bridges for truckers

Aerial view of the Astoria-Megler Bridge.

Truckers encounter many bridges in this country that are downright frightening. From tight spaces to ghostly faces, these are just a few of the crossings that scare drivers the most.

Astoria-Megler Bridge

This iconic cantilever bridge between Oregon and Washington was formally dedicated in August 1966. It stretches 4.1 miles across the mouth of the Columbia River, from Astoria, Oregon, to Point Ellice, Washington. Its construction was an impressive feat. The bridge, part of U.S. Highway 101,...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/americas-scariest-bridges-for-truckers

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