Study: 23% of R.I. bridges deficient

RHODE ISLAND ranked first in the nation for its percentage of structurally deficient bridges, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association. Work to replace the Providence Viaduct in downtown Providence is shown, but it depends on continued federal support to be completed. / PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO
RHODE ISLAND ranked first in the nation for its percentage of structurally deficient bridges, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association. Work to replace the Providence Viaduct in downtown Providence is shown, but it depends on continued federal support to be completed. / PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island ranked first in the nation for its percentage of structurally deficient bridges, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association.

According to the association, which analyzed U.S. Department of Transportation data to come up with the findings, 23 percent of Rhode Island’s 766 bridges, or 174, are structurally deficient.

That means at least one key bridge element, such as the deck, is in poor condition.

The association also ranked states in terms of the number of structurally deficient bridges. In that category, the Ocean State fared better, coming in at No. 45 nationally for its 174 deficient bridges.
American Road & Transportation Builders Association Chief Economist Alison Premo Black said that cars, trucks and school buses cross Rhode Island’s 174 structurally compromised bridges 3.2 million times every day, and that the most heavily traveled are on the highway system.
According to the association, the top 10 most heavily traveled structurally compromised bridges in the state are:

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  • Interstate 95 northbound and southbound over US-1 (Elmwood Avenue) (Providence County).
  • Broad Street over I-95 northbound and southbound and the P&W Railroad (Providence County).
  • I-95 northbound and southbound over Amtrak (Providence County).
  • I-95 northbound and southbound over Jefferson Boulevard (Kent County).
  • I-95 northbound and southbound over Wellington Avenue (Providence County).
  • I-95 northbound and southbound over RI-2/Quaker Lane (Kent County).
  • I-195 westbound over the Seekonk River (Providence County).
  • RI-146/Ed Dowl Highway over RI-15/Mineral Spring Avenue (Providence County).
  • RI-146/Ed Dowl Highway over RI-246/Charles Street (Providence County).
  • US-6 eastbound and westbound over US-6A/Hartford Avenue (Providence County).

The association also said that since 2004, 57 new bridges have been constructed in the state and 50 bridges have undergone major construction.

In addition, there are 255 bridges, or 33 percent of all state bridges, classified as functionally obsolete, meaning the bridge does not meet design standards that are in line with current practice.

State and local contract awards for bridge construction totaled $367.88 million over the past five years.

Black said the federal Highway Trust Fund is the source of 52 percent of highway and bridge capital investments made annually by state governments, but has suffered five revenue shortfalls between 2008 and 2014, and has been bailed out with nearly $65 billion in revenues from the general fund just to preserve existing investment levels.
“State and local governments are doing the best they can to address these significant challenges, given limited resources,” Black said.
“Many of the most heavily traveled bridges are nearly 50 years old. Elected officials can’t just sprinkle fairy dust on America’s bridge problem and wish it away,” Black said. “It will take committed investment by legislators at all levels of government.”
Bridge decks and support structures are regularly inspected by the state transportation departments for deterioration and are rated on a scale of zero to nine — nine being “excellent” condition. A bridge is classified as structurally deficient and in need of repair if its overall rating is four or below, the association said.
The ARTBA said that signs should be posted so the public understands that these bridges have structural deficiencies that need repair, even if they are not unsafe.

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