More Than 100 Central MA Bridges Structurally Deficient: Report

Worcester MA

01 September, 2022

1:55 PM

Description

WORCESTER, MA — The Central region of Massachusetts has more than 100 structurally deficient bridges — with 7 percent of them failing — according to a new Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center report. The report said there are 644 bridges in disrepair across the state, and another 218 for which the condition is listed as "unknown." The report said the state Department of Transportation's Performance and Asset Management Advisory Council told the state legislature that "Massachusetts is fourth worst in the nation in percentage of poor bridges" and can expect "further deterioration of our bridges." On average, Massachusetts residents live 1.7 miles away from the nearest structurally deficient bridge. The reason for this, according to the report, is that Massachusetts bridges tend to be older than those in other parts of the country — on average, a Massachusetts bridge was built or most recently reconstructed 56 years ago — and are battered during the region's harsh winters. More than one in five structurally deficient bridges in Massachusetts have restrictions on what kinds of vehicles can pass, mostly weight limitations. The report said the Central Region of the state contains 1,493 bridges, with 7 percent deemed deficient, a total of 102. On average, Central Massachusetts residents live 1.5 miles from the nearest structurally deficient bridge. Three bridges are closed and 79 limit the load or capacity that can pass. The Budget and Policy Center found that in Massachusetts, racial and ethnic minorities and limited-English proficient households tend to live nearer a structurally deficient bridge than others. Minority residents — those who self-identify to Census as a category other than non-Hispanic white — live closer on average to a structurally deficient bridge than the general population. The report said that several factors, including the added stress of climate change and heavier trucks, will likely accelerate the deterioration of bridges across the state unless substantial resources are poured into the infrastructure repair.