AP: Serious Problems With More Than 85,000 U.S. Bridges
New analysis of the nation’s bridges shows many are in desperate need of repairs and replacement.
New analysis of the nation’s bridges shows many are in desperate need of repairs and replacement.
An Associated Press review of the records in the U.S. Transportation Department’s National Bridge Inventory found out of more than 607,000 bridges, 65,605 are classified as “structurally deficient, 20,808 are listed as “fracture critical” and 7,795 are rated as both, indicating a significant risk of disrepair or collapse.
It notes the number of the bridges listed with problems has been fairly consistent over a number of years and that many were built from the 1950’s through the 1970’s, but have now exceeded their life expectancy and are carrying more traffic than they were designed to handle.
It points out the bridge that collapsed earlier this year along Interstate 5 in Washington state was “fracture critical.” The span is being rebuilt with work close to being completed. The collapse sent three vehicles into the water, resulting in only minor injuries, when a truck was crossing it, hitting an overhead support.
The AP review also noted the I-35W span that collapsed in Minneapolis 2007, killing 13 and injuring more than 100 was structurally deficient. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the collapse was due to an error by the bridge’s designers.
You can read the entire story from AP.
More Safety & Compliance

The Hidden Problem Behind FMCSA's ELD Revocations
NMFTA researchers say dozens of registered ELDs may be built on the same software platforms, allowing compliance and security concerns to persist even after individual devices are removed from the market.
Read More →
ATRI Wants Motor Carriers for Driver-Facing Camera Study
In this new study, the American Transportation Research Institute will explore how driver-facing cameras can impact safety and operational metrics in trucking fleets.
Read More →
Netradyne Intelligence Uses New AI Agents to Automate Response to In-Cab Camera Data
The company called the next-generation in-cab camera safety platform "a fundamental shift from systems that report on what happened to systems that actively drive what should happen next."
Read More →
Mack, Volvo Issue ‘Do Not Drive’ Recall on Possible Wheel-Offs
Owners will be sent advance notice not to operate their affected vehicles until the remedy is performed.
Read More →
Fleetworthy Integrates Lytx Video Snapshots into Safety+ Platform
A new Fleetworthy-Lytx integration gives fleet managers access to video context alongside safety event data, streamlining driver coaching and incident review.
Read More →How Waste Connections is Using Data, Telematics, and AI
How do you manage and maintain more than 18,000 connected trucks? Data. Lots of it.
Read More →
Fleet Advantage: Top Logistics Fleets Outperform National Safety Benchmarks
Fleet Advantage's latest TRUST Safety Index found leading logistics fleets maintained significantly lower out-of-service rates and stronger safety scores than national averages, while highlighting persistent challenges related to tires, brakes, and unsafe driving behaviors.
Read More →
Why Fleet Data Matters More Than Ever at Waste Connections [Watch]
Waste Connections' Chuck Palmer explains how telematics, predictive maintenance, safety analytics, and AI help keep vehicles on the road and drivers safe in this episode of HDT Talks Trucking.
Read More →
Short Takes: How K&B is Using AI
Fleets need to "get on board the train" with AI, says Lance Evans of K&B Transportation in this HDT Talks Trucking Short Takes episode.
Read More →Short Takes: Inside K&B’s Truck Safety Tech
Listen to learn how K&B Transportation uses cellphone-blocking technology, speed management systems, weather geofencing, bridge avoidance tools, and more to improve driver safety.
Read More →
