12% of Minnesota Bridges Structurally Deficient

The Federal Highway Administration says 25 percent of the country’s bridges are “structurally deficient,” or substandard. In Minnesota, nearly three years after the Interstate 35W bridge collapse, 12 percent of the state’s bridges are in the same category.

A House Transportation Subcommittee discussed funding and the adequacy of bridge inspections during a hearing July 21 in Washington.

Rep. Jim Oberstar, chairman of the committee, says states aren’t dedicating enough money to addressing bridge problems. Current law allows states the authority to transfer up to 50 percent of their bridge funds to other purposes, which some states have done.

The Star Tribune says Minnesota has more than 13,000 bridges.

Information from: Star Tribune