When a bridge falls down: America's roads and bridges need serious attention, but where's the money going to come from?

• Author: Sundeen, Matt

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The catastrophic collapse of the 1-35 bridge over the Mississippi River in August sent shockwaves that reverberated well beyond the immediate vicinity of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The deteriorating condition of the country's network of highways, bridges and rail lines is a problem that has long concerned transportation experts. For most, the bridge collapse was a call-to-action to fund overdue improvements and fix the nation's aging transportation infrastructure. Although many federal, state and local lawmakers agree repairs are needed, what the appropriate response should be continues to be a matter for debate.

INCREASED DEMANDS

Rapid growth in population, personal travel and freight movement has put stress on the nation's roads and bridges and outpaced efforts to maintain and improve the system. Put simply, more people are traveling more miles than ever before. An estimated 300 million people now live in the United States, and since 1990, highway travel has increased 35 percent. Trade with Asia and South America has increased shipments across all transportation modes, and the Federal Highway Administration predicts that freight traffic will double by 2020.

Greater use has caused wear and tear on our roads and bridges. According to the Federal Highway Administration, 33 percent of America's roads are in poor or mediocre condition, and 26 percent of America's bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Experts caution that major failures similar to the 1-35 bridge collapse are, however, unlikely.

"It's a rare problem," says Federal Highway Administration Spokesman Doug Hecox. "It's undeniable that the infrastructure is aging. But if anything, bridge inspection programs over-scrutinize. It wasn't any shortcoming in the inspection process." States inspect every bridge at least once every two years, and some deteriorating bridges more frequently, according to FHWA officials.

The larger concern may be the everyday problems caused by poorly maintained infrastructure. Road conditions are a significant factor in approximately one-third of traffic deaths, killing approximately 14,000 people every year. Driving on bumpy roads and bridges, falling concrete, and potholes cost U.S. motorists an estimated $67 billion a year in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs--as much as $333 per motorist. Outdated facilities can handle fewer vehicles at slower speeds, creating traffic congestion and costly delays. Old roads or bridges might also be functionally obsolete--designed for smaller populations and unable to meet the current needs of an expanding community.

FUNDING RUNNING DRY

Considerable money is needed not only to maintain current conditions, but to make improvements to meet growing demands. But transportation funding resources are shrinking. A 2005 report by the National Chamber Foundation concluded that total annual transportation spending from all levels of government is now $42 billion short of the amount needed to maintain and $91 billion short of the...