A recently released American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) report maintains Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) bridges are among the nation’s best.
The ARTBA’s findings are based on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s bridge inventory data, which indicated 1.3 percent of Nevada’s 2,029, public bridges are structurally deficient, which ties Nevada with Texas for the top spot, despite 27.5 billion miles traveled across the state in 2019.
The structurally deficient national average is 7.5 percent, per the report, which described the term structurally deficient as a bridge in need of some rehabilitation or potential replacement – not necessarily classifying it as unsafe or dangerous. The bridges are due for corrective measures; a vehicle weight restriction may be posted as a result.
“Our focus is keeping everyone safe and connected on Nevada’s roads and bridges,” NDOT Director Kristina Swallow said. “Federal and state transportation funds are critical to ensuring Nevada bridges are kept up as a part of that safe and connected transportation system.”
While NDOT inspects all bridges statewide, including city and county-maintained structures, every two years, regardless of condition, officials acknowledge bridges with extensive deterioration are inspected more often.
One-quarter of state-owned bridges are over 50 years old or the age when rehabilitation is typically needed to maintain fair condition.