'Alarming' Number Of Nation's Highway Bridges Are Deficient

"More than a quarter of all US highway bridges are considered deficient, a high number but a marked improvement after a decade of increased government spending. The number of bridges considered deficient--that need repairs, cannot adequately handle traffic loads, or do not meet safety standards -- declined about 18 percent from 1992 to 2002, from 199,090 to 163,010...." As one researcher states, "In terms of improving the conditions of bridges, it's really falling into Congress' lap, given the tremendous fiscal constraints state and local governments are facing." Some say that the Bush administration's proposal to increase highway and transit funding by 13 percent over the next six years will not be enough to address the "alarming" number of deficient bridges.

Thanks to Connie Chung