Report: 7 Percent of Arkansas Bridges Structurally Deficient

Of the 12,853 bridges in the state, 845, or 7 percent, are classified as structurally deficient, meaning that one or more of the key bridge elements — such as the deck, superstructure or substructure — are considered to be in “poor” or worse condition.

In Arkansas, 2012 bridges, or 16 percent, are classified as functionally obsolete, meaning the bridge doesn’t meet current design standards.

These are the findings of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, based on its annual review of bridge data collected by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The ARTBA released its report in February.

Nationwide, the report said, of the about 610,000 bridges in the U.S., about 9.5 percent, or 58,500, were structurally deficient.

Since 2004, 1,175 new bridges have been constructed in Arkansas, and 76 have undergone major reconstruction, according to the report.

Source: American Road & Transportation Builders Association