An analysis of bridges across the nation done by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association shows over 47,000 bridges in the country are classified as structurally deficient. Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek says that’s especially a problem in rural areas and it’s been getting worse over time.
Steenhoek says the analysis showed Iowa and South Dakota at the top of the list for structurally deficient bridges with Iowa at 19.4 percent and South Dakota at 16.7 percent. He says there’s been some progress in addressing that problem, but more is needed.
He says getting the funding to correct that deficiency is getting more challenging.
The other three Northern Plains States showed North Dakota with a 10.8 percent structurally deficient rate, Nebraska at 8.8 percent and Minnesota at 5 percent.
