Bridges in the state of Nevada were ranked as best in the nation with the least number of structurally deficient bridges in a recently released analysis of 2020 U.S. Department of Transportation bridge inventory data from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).
The report shows that only 1.4% of Nevada’s more than 2,000 public bridges being structurally deficient. Compared to the 7.3% national average, it is the nation’s best ranking, the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) says.
Nevada’s bridges were also ranked some of the nation’s best for the previous seven years. NDOT inspects the majority of bridges, including city and county-maintained structures, every two years. Bridges with more extensive deterioration are inspected more often, while select newer bridges are inspected every four years.
“I am proud to once again see Nevada ranked as having the best bridges in the nation,” NDOT Director Kristina Swallow said in a statement. “The NDOT team works tirelessly to ensure our bridges keep Nevadans safe and connected on our roadway system, and sustainable transportation funding will be critical to maintaining our bridges for years to come.”
More than 500 of Nevada’s state-owned bridges are more than 50 years of age, an age when rehabilitation is often necessary to keep the structure in fair condition.
NDOT says the term structurally deficient is used to describe bridges in need of rehabilitation or potential replacement. Structurally deficient bridges are not necessarily unsafe or dangerous; rather, these bridges become a priority for corrective measures, and may have restrictions on the weight of vehicles using them.
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SOURCE: Nevada DOT / ARTBA
