The Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge in Tacoma, Washington, which reopened in 2019 after a yearlong closure and won a national award, has been closed again due to safety concerns raised by federal officials. The closure is indefinite as the city of Tacoma must raise millions of dollars to clean and inspect the nearly century-old bridge. This closure has impacted nearby businesses, like Ed Wallace’s Harley-Davidson motorcycle store, which has seen a loss of customers since the bridge shuttered.
Bridges play a vital role in transportation infrastructure, but many are in poor condition across the United States. Approximately 42,400 bridges are in poor condition, carrying about 167 million vehicles daily. The majority of these bridges have issues with the legs holding them up or the arms supporting their load. The closure of these bridges can have significant impacts on daily commutes, business supply chains, and emergency response times.
The closure of bridges like the I-195 bridge over the Seekonk River in Rhode Island highlights a nationwide issue of failing infrastructure. The closure resulted in long delays as drivers were forced to divert to other routes. The cost of repairing or replacing these bridges can reach into the millions or even billions of dollars, causing challenges for many states and cities. The American Society of Civil Engineers highlights the need for increased investment in infrastructure to address these issues.
A massive infrastructure law signed by President Joe Biden in 2021 allocated $40 billion to bridges over five years, the largest investment in bridges since the construction of the interstate highway system. However, this funding will only make a dent in the estimated $319 billion needed for bridge repairs nationwide. Despite some improvements over the past decade, more bridges have slipped from good to fair condition, highlighting the ongoing need for investment in infrastructure.
The financial challenges of funding bridge repairs are evident in cities like Iowa City, Iowa, where the split ownership of the Burlington Street bridges has made it difficult to secure the estimated $30 million needed for replacement. The federal infrastructure law has provided some funding for analysis, but the lengthy planning and funding process makes it challenging to address the issues with aging bridges. The closure of bridges can have lasting economic impacts on businesses and communities.
The closure of bridges like the Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge and the I-195 Washington Bridge in Rhode Island due to safety concerns reveals the potential dangers of failing infrastructure. Safety inspections are crucial in identifying issues before they lead to catastrophic failures. The closure of bridges can have significant economic impacts on businesses and communities, emphasizing the importance of maintaining and investing in infrastructure to prevent future closures and collapses. The challenges of aging bridges require ongoing attention and investment to ensure the safety and reliability of the nation’s transportation infrastructure.
