US Public Bridges at Risk: Significant Increase in Collapses Expected by 2050
According to a new study presented in early October 2023, the future of infrastructure in the United States, particularly bridges, raises serious concerns. The research indicates that unless urgent measures are taken for repair and modernization, the number of collapses of steel bridges could increase by five times by 2050.
Experts warn that the nation's already flawed transportation network is in much worse condition than various official reports may suggest. Millions of cars cross these structures daily, and without significant investments in maintaining safety, users of these bridges risk facing serious consequences.
The study analyzed around 614,000 bridges across the country and found that nearly 43% of them are in need of repair or replacement in one way or another. With over 26% of these bridges being made of steel, there are serious grounds to believe that the issues concerning their condition will worsen.
Researchers emphasize that the deterioration of bridge conditions is largely due to insufficient funding. Current investments in supporting and repairing bridges are not on par with the levels required for ensuring long-term reliability and safety. Given the accelerating aging of infrastructure and the increasing volume of vehicular traffic, the expectations of future collapses are becoming more realistic.
Additionally, experts stress the importance of more thorough monitoring of bridge conditions to timely identify issues and prevent potential accidents. This also requires the adoption of new technologies and methods for assessing the conditions of the structures, as well as training personnel responsible for maintaining infrastructure.
In summary, the situation with bridges in the United States requires immediate attention and investment; otherwise, the risks of collapses may pose a real threat in the coming decades.
