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How long should we wait to have our bridges repaired?

GasBuddy Blog -- Since the average bridge in the U.S. was only built to last about 50 years it's no surprise to learn that from coast to coast we have thousands of "structurally deficient" bridges that need some attention. But which ones will be repaired and which will be ignored?

In reading government "assessments" it's important to know that "structurally deficient" does not necessarily mean they're "crumbling" or "unsafe," according to Transportation For America, a national coalition dedicated purely to improving transportation infrastructure and securing federal funding.

"It’s worth clarifying that structurally deficient bridges aren’t necessarily below any type of safety code. Yes, the I-35W Minneapolis bridge was rated structurally...

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Submitted May 11, 2012 By: PD

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clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,359 Points:756,980 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 18, 2012 9:22:23 AM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse forever and a day or until people die whichever comes first
D61 Rookie Author British Columbia Posts:90 Points:82,575 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: May 17, 2012 9:30:32 AM Ignore D61 Report Abuse Agre with honda1050
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,650 Points:1,612,445 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 17, 2012 2:38:58 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse when gasoline taxes are used for what they are SUPPOSED to be used, then the bridges and roads wouldn't be in such bad shape. Instead, the money is used to stuff any budget holes.
gerla20 Rookie Author New Jersey Posts:5 Points:3,425 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: May 16, 2012 3:41:41 PM Ignore gerla20 Report Abuse nice
enigmaFL Rookie Author Tampa Posts:51 Points:54,905 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: May 16, 2012 12:34:38 PM Ignore enigmaFL Report Abuse DOT inspects these bridges and know they need repair but yet only money is sent to state or county but does not get repaird why? is it to fill there POCKETS?
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,451 Points:1,327,985 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: May 16, 2012 9:43:23 AM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse Oh, I guess we'll wait 'till someone comes and fixes them. I don't work on bridges. But I'll vote against people that tax the heck out of me and don't keep up the roads! A lot of that going around.
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,129 Points:295,245 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 16, 2012 7:41:04 AM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse A safety issue, that also creates jobs in our country. we should only use our steel and materials while we rebuild this country and create jobs.
blueBMW480 Champion Author Nashville Posts:818,391 Points:843,665 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: May 16, 2012 7:32:57 AM Ignore blueBMW480 Report Abuse Amazing
albert2008 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:7,367 Points:1,483,935 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 16, 2012 5:36:43 AM Ignore albert2008 Report Abuse i guess they may have to raise taxes even more to replace them all
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,650 Points:1,612,445 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 16, 2012 3:02:52 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse considering that when most bridges were built traffic was much lighter, I'd say the lifespan of many bridges is far less than what we think. Esp. considering how much heavier (weight) traffic loads have gotten.
chillyman3 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,355 Points:426,640 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: May 13, 2012 8:12:22 PM Ignore chillyman3 Report Abuse I guess the government really care about their country or their state. This article is really old. No changes at all...
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,451 Points:1,327,985 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 8:34:23 PM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse There is no edict which says 'this bridge can only last 50 years." There are limits to what they can say when they build so they say 50. With proper and low cost maintainance, there is no reason our bridges can't go on. Example: Smooth surfaces prolong life. A smooth bridge is a happy bridge. It ain't rattling up and down tearing itself to pieces 24 hrs a day to to potholes on the deck. Being careful with what you deice with can save lots and lots of money. How many of you know of bridges that are over 100 years old? Many. The main things that should determine the life of a major and expensive bridge would be design failure, not rust and not be rattled to death by a neglected deck.
goldrose1 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:10,956 Points:1,927,755 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 7:16:51 PM Ignore goldrose1 Report Abuse wow
gravityhurts Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,108 Points:940,430 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 6:48:48 PM Ignore gravityhurts Report Abuse Until they fall down... I know I've been paying road usage taxes, and gas taxes and tax taxes... where does all that money go???????????? Obviously not to repair bridges.
Harry813 Champion Author Iowa Posts:3,020 Points:664,790 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 2:23:18 PM Ignore Harry813 Report Abuse Just get a 4X4 and have fun :)
Amplion Champion Author Oregon Posts:6,789 Points:1,868,310 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 1:54:27 PM Ignore Amplion Report Abuse Some bridges are like Using NATURAL GAS. You know that you are taking a chance, but you have decided to use it anyway. The chance of another disaster still remains !!!!
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:6,983 Points:2,120,540 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 1:43:49 PM Ignore remay Report Abuse Probably going to get worse before better...
ObieDog Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,976 Points:854,595 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 12:18:49 PM Ignore ObieDog Report Abuse Let's move.
Virgin55 Veteran Author Ocala Posts:313 Points:888,340 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 9:39:22 AM Ignore Virgin55 Report Abuse ok
ramman2012 Champion Author Edmonton Posts:2,318 Points:495,885 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 9:00:38 AM Ignore ramman2012 Report Abuse oK.
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,129 Points:295,245 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 8:16:25 AM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse projects like bridges and road repairs are a good way to stimulate our economy. germany knows this. i am so sick of people who love to have wars that are not paid for but ignore our own needs.
orphancarguyPE Champion Author PEI Posts:3,865 Points:737,915 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 7:50:08 AM Ignore orphancarguyPE Report Abuse That's what come from several selfish decades of 'let's get rich and lower taxes and forget about spending on the basic renewal of everything' gets you. Well, its getting your kids mainly. Glad your parents liked living it up in huge homes, having yachts and half million dollar RVs.
albert2008 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:7,367 Points:1,483,935 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:53:35 AM Ignore albert2008 Report Abuse not enough money
rtw777 Champion Author Florida Posts:9,411 Points:1,844,920 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:28:58 AM Ignore rtw777 Report Abuse It has always taken a long time to get around to repairs of bridges.
TAT36 Champion Author Florida Posts:6,819 Points:1,306,925 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:07:45 AM Ignore TAT36 Report Abuse 1stClicker - Has it right.
paul12011 Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,758 Points:91,055 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:06:44 AM Ignore paul12011 Report Abuse ok
1stClicker Champion Author Texas Posts:5,331 Points:2,246,470 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:06:01 AM Ignore 1stClicker Report Abuse When the state and federal governments stop using gas tax for other things other then what the tax was set up for roads and infrastructure.
gabbygusIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:7,251 Points:1,562,800 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:03:32 AM Ignore gabbygusIN Report Abuse It takes several years to build new ones!
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,090 Points:2,348,435 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:03:03 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Make sure all fuel taxes are used for the repair or replacement of roads and bridges and NOT dumped into a general fund and used for whatever someone's whim determines. Each states DOT needs to inspect and assess the bridges or roads and repair or replace when necessary. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost, if possible! The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
Garston Champion Author Maine Posts:2,421 Points:473,765 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:03:01 AM Ignore Garston Report Abuse never
RocketGeek Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:10,607 Points:2,111,310 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:02:42 AM Ignore RocketGeek Report Abuse There is a lot of bridge repair going on in my neck of the woods.
Stevedog Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,868 Points:1,948,820 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:02:40 AM Ignore Stevedog Report Abuse We need better ways to monitor bridges
jmg144 Champion Author Maryland Posts:9,716 Points:2,904,035 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:02:28 AM Ignore jmg144 Report Abuse Is this a state agency issue?
tarheelcoastie Champion Author Greensboro Posts:5,211 Points:1,114,080 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:02:23 AM Ignore tarheelcoastie Report Abuse Until another MN bridge failure occurs!
icer06 Champion Author Huntsville Posts:2,438 Points:459,995 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:02:21 AM Ignore icer06 Report Abuse ok
Cruiser340 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:12,768 Points:2,796,665 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:02:15 AM Ignore Cruiser340 Report Abuse The longer you wait the more that will have to be done, and the higher the cost.
lowerpetroprice Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:8,696 Points:1,730,155 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:02:03 AM Ignore lowerpetroprice Report Abuse There is no reason for our bridges to be crumbling like they are.
Sickly Champion Author Minnesota Posts:3,444 Points:738,950 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:01:42 AM Ignore Sickly Report Abuse This country has been has been in bad shape since the first gulf war.
coughlin Champion Author San Jose Posts:5,195 Points:1,120,565 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:01:32 AM Ignore coughlin Report Abuse We need the bridges fixed. NOW!
jmdk721 Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,184 Points:576,830 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:00:51 AM Ignore jmdk721 Report Abuse ok
danny999 Champion Author Florida Posts:8,738 Points:1,641,985 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 5:00:36 AM Ignore danny999 Report Abuse Don't complain about my gas taxes going there.
scottydoesnt Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,802 Points:530,320 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 4:59:39 AM Ignore scottydoesnt Report Abuse There are lots of bridges being repaired in the Chicagoland area.
BBHybrid Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:6,474 Points:1,296,000 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 4:59:24 AM Ignore BBHybrid Report Abuse too many misappropriated funds
gilfarm Champion Author Alabama Posts:6,811 Points:1,951,765 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 4:59:16 AM Ignore gilfarm Report Abuse Takes alot of money!
marinedad1949 Champion Author Lancaster Posts:2,506 Points:506,370 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 4:58:41 AM Ignore marinedad1949 Report Abuse Mr. "Hope and Change" was going to fix all our bridges don't your remember? What happened to all the "shovel ready" projects out there? The bridges will get fixed when they start falling down and people are dying.
BeatOPEC All-Star Author Indianapolis Posts:857 Points:197,130 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 4:58:36 AM Ignore BeatOPEC Report Abuse If we quit handing out cash to everyone that is too lazy to work, we would have the funds to do these repairs. Vote these idiots out of office in November.
pper Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:3,099 Points:672,795 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 4:58:33 AM Ignore pper Report Abuse Old news
BigBillMI All-Star Author Detroit Posts:616 Points:248,930 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 4:58:21 AM Ignore BigBillMI Report Abuse ok
WVUtailgater Champion Author Cleveland Posts:8,451 Points:1,701,610 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 4:57:58 AM Ignore WVUtailgater Report Abuse not as long as we have already
ChristinaCricke Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,758 Points:770,500 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 12, 2012 4:57:46 AM Ignore ChristinaCricke Report Abuse We all pay...now or later...what's is your pleasure?!