Question 1: What can you tell us about the condition of Maryland’s bridges?

 

Of the 5,484 bridges in the state, 250, or 4.6 percent, are classified as structurally deficient by the Federal Highway Administration. 

 

Number of structurally deficient bridges in the state has decreased every year since 2020.

 

Of the 10 most traveled structurally deficient bridges in Maryland, seven are in Baltimore. Including the two busiest: on Perring Parkway and on Russell Street. Those both get 70,000 cars per day.

 

Question 2: What does it mean for a bridge to be structurally deficient?

 

deck, superstructure, substructure and culverts are rated 1-10 by the  Federal Highway Administration. If any are 4.0 or worse, it’s structurally deficient. Not necessarily unsafe but does need repairs.

 

Deck: road

Superstructure: supports above the deck

Substructure: supports below the deck

Culvert: the gaps where water flows under the bridge 

 

But even a bridge that is up to code can still have risks. Francis Scott Key bridge was not structurally deficient. 

4.6% of Maryland’s bridges need repairs. That’s the 12th best rate of bridges that need repairs.

Washington D.C. is also doing relatively well, only 2% of bridges need repairs.

The worst are Iowa and West Virginia at 19%. Maine, Rhode Island are at 15%.

The highway pavement condition is ranked No. 44. And Marylanders spend an average of 62 hours per year stuck in traffic. Only five states are worse: Illinois, NY, NJ, Delaware, Mass.