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States with Best and Worst Road and Bridge Infrastructure

Best and Worst Bridge Infrastructure

One of the most important components of every state government is its commitment to road and bridge infrastructure. The road and bridge infrastructure keeps this vast country connected and allows trade routes to boost our economy

But not each of those infrastructures is equal. Furthermore, not every state is as committed to road and bridge infrastructure as others. Many states have seen their road and bridge infrastructure decline in recent decades, while others reinforce existing infrastructure.

Here are a few of the states with the best and worst transportation infrastructure in the U.S.

States with the Best Road and Bridge Infrastructure

1. Nevada

Spending the national average for state roads, Nevada wins the title of the state with the best road and bridge infrastructure in the United States. The percentage of structurally deficient road and bridges in Nevada are both some of lowest in the nation. According to USA Today in 2019, just 1.3 percent of Nevada’s roads were in poor condition, third-lowest. Only 1.4 percent of the state’s bridges were structurally deficient, second-lowest among states. Of course, Nevada’s status as a thinly-populated state heavily attributes to the quality of road condition.

2. Tennessee

Listed in the top three states with the best infrastructure is Tennessee. As one of the few states where less than 5 percent of their roads are in poor condition, Tennessee actually spends less than the national average in road maintenance. Tennessee was ranked second among states in road quality and eighth in bridge infrastructure quality by U.S. News.

As such, some researchers such as MoneyGeek pose the theory that there is no direct correlation between the money states spend and road conditions.

3. Florida

Following in Tennessee’s footsteps is the state of Florida. Less than 10 percent of Florida roads are in poor condition. Like Tennessee, Florida spends less than the national average on transportation infrastructure. U.S. News ranked the sunshine state seventh in road quality and third in bridge infrastructure quality.

A big contributor to this is the weather climate in the south. Unlike northern states, Florida endures very little cold weather and there is no salting of roads to affect them.

States with the Worst Road and Bridge Infrastructure

1. Rhode Island

Rhode Island is ranked second in population per capita in the United States among states. Maybe that’s why it ranks as the top state with the worst road and bridge infrastructure. Roughly 53 percent of roads and 23 percent of bridges are considered deficient in Rhode Island, which means they could be unsafe for many motorists. U.S. News ranked Rhode Island 49th in road quality and dead last in bridge quality.

Constant use of state roads by the dense population contributes to the deteriorating roads. In addition, Rhode Island spends less money than most states on public infrastructure.

2. New Jersey

Despite spending 57 percent of their budget on highway repairs, New Jersey is still considered one of the worst states in road and bridge infrastructure. New Jersey has the fourth-highest percentage of roads in poor condition, and the third-highest travel time to work, at 32 minutes. Similar to Rhode Island, it is believed that New Jersey’s dense population and congested roads are the main reasons behind its declining infrastructure.

3. California

It’s not surprising that California appears in the list of states with the worst road infrastructure. As the most populated state in our country, it makes sense that its congested roads are deteriorating quickly. Almost 45 percent of California’s roads rate as in poor condition. They are 48th in road condition in the United States., with 16.9 percent of roads in poor condition. However, the state does get a tick up in its bridge infrastructure, coming in at 19th according to U.S. News.

Why does Bridge Infrastructure Matter?

Each state chooses a specific amount to allocate towards road and bridge infrastructure. However, many components can affect this number. On average, states spend about eight percent of their budget on road repairs and infrastructure. The money for this is levied from tolls and gas tax. That being said, 2020’s national shutdown due to COVID-19 created a significant dent in states’ reservoir as individuals began working from home.

Infrastructure affects things like our economy and public safety. The worse a state’s road infrastructure, the more likely for drivers on the road. State governments intend for roads and bridges to be a reliable and safe transportation network. However, a study by MoneyGeek revealed that state funds are allocated towards maintaining, and often not improving deteriorating roads.

Build with U.S. Bridge

At U.S. Bridge, we pride ourselves on building bridges and adding to infrastructure that will last for decades. We understand the importance of our country’s infrastructure. That’s why we contribute sustainable solutions to America’s infrastructure. We manufacture, engineer and build bridges to withhold time, weather, and sustain the everyday toll of traffic.

Contact us today for a free quote, or use our exclusive bridge scope tool for a free quick estimate. Let’s build reliable transportation infrastructure together.

How to Design a Bridge Without Experience: Bridge Scope

How to Design a Bridge

Designing a bridge takes great engineering skills and attention to detail. Every component of the bridge design process is significant and greatly affects the rest of the project. Clearly, learning how to design a bridge can seem like an overwhelming process with lots to figure out.

However, U.S. Bridged developed a tool to simplify bridge design, even if you’ve never designed a bridge. It’s Bridge Scope, our exclusive virtual design tool to design a bridge.

Bridge Scope makes it easy to customize your bridge to the specifications you need, down to the last detail.

 

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How to Design a Bridge

When it comes to bridge design there are many components to consider. Where is the location of the bridge? Will there be heavy traffic and commercial trucks? Or is the location in a rural area?

The environment and the purpose of the bridge will determine the type of materials and style of the bridge. In addition to the type and shape, the design of the deck and railing are important as well.

Engineers need to consider the weather and other environmental factors that contribute to corrosion. It may be difficult to choose the right materials and design that works best for your project without making a big dent in your budget. That’s why it’s important to build with a trusted company that will create a bridge that fits your needs.

Through the combination of our experience and knowledge, we’ve created a simple and time-efficient way for you to design your bridge: Bridge Scope.

Bridge Scope: A Bridge Design Tool

Our exclusive Bridge Scope tool allows you to design your bridge in just a few simple steps.

How to use Bridge Scope

  1. Select a bridge type from the drop-down menu. Then select a bridge-style that best fits your project. Each bridge type has specific styles available. For example, the styles available for truss bridges are Cambridge, Cambridge flat, Viking, and Seneca bridge.
  2. Next, choose the deck material. The material of the deck is dependent on the bridge type.
  3. Select the bridge railing. Decide if you require an independent rail attached to the deck or a W-Beam guide rail attached to the truss.
  4. Lastly, input the span length and width of your bridge project. Additionally, you can select a corrosion protective plan and pick a live load.

Shortly after submitting, you will receive a detailed PDF packet of your project’s design and specifications. You can then contact U.S. Bridge to proceed forward with your bridge and make any adjustments desired.

It’s as simple as that. In under five minutes, users will have created their preliminary bridge design with a trusted steel bridge builder.

Building with U.S. Bridge

Our team of engineering experts has been building bridges for decades. U.S. Bridge has completed more than 10,000 bridge projects and has experience working in more than 50 countries. Our team of engineering experts has been building bridges for decades of many different styles and designs.

All of our bridge designs are custom made for each client and their specific project. To find out more about our experienced team and excellent bridges, please contact U.S. Bridge today.