A significant number of bridges in rural areas are in deficient shape and in need of repair. They are a vital link for farmers getting their commodities to export markets. The Soy Transportation Coalition recently conducted a study with an engineering firm using load testing technology to determine the condition of rural bridges. Mike Steenhoek is Executive Director of the Soy Transportation Coalition.

He says they used load testing to examine bridges in Iowa’s Van Buren County recently.

Steenhoek says they’d like to see load testing utilized nationally so that funding can go effectively to those bridges that most need repair.

Steenhoek says their project was designed to increase clarity of the condition of rural bridges and enhance stewardship of the bridges themselves and scarce taxpayer dollars.