Len Toenjes, president of AGCMO, speaks out on Missouri bridge conditions in the April 8, 2016 edition of the St. Louis Business Journal. He cites a recent national report on America’s bridges by ARTBA, ranking Missouri as 4th highest in the nation in the number of structurally deficient bridges and the 11th highest in the nation in percentage of structurally deficient bridges. Thirteen (13) percent are classified as structurally deficient. This means that one or more of the key bridge elements, i.e. the deck, superstructure, or substructure, is considered to be in “poor” or worse condition. Also, another 3,059 bridges, or 13 percent are classified as functionally obsolete. This means the bridge does not meet design standards in line with current practices.
TIME TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT MISSOURI’S BRIDGES
By Leonard Toenjes
Thirteen could be Missouri’s unlucky number. That’s the percentage of bridges in Missouri classified as structurally deficient. This means that one or more of the key bridge elements, i.e. the deck, superstructure, or substructure, is considered to be in “poor” or worse condition. Also, another 3,059 bridges, or 13 percent (again, that unlucky number!) are classified as functionally obsolete. This means the bridge does not meet design standards in line with current practices.
According to a recent report released by The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), of the 24,398 bridges in our state, 3,222, or 13 percent, are classified as structurally deficient. (View Missouri data at: http://www.artba.org/state-bridge-profile-missouri-2016/)
Many of us have seen the rickety, rusted, one- to two-lane bridges hidden in rural Missouri; many are closed or traversed by a few local residents. While seldom traveled, they provide an important network for the agricultural economy that is so important to our state and to our quality of life.
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