Condition of State Bridges -5a

The public has indicated that the condition of Missouri’s existing roadway system should be one of the state’s highest priorities. Currently, 804 (26 major) structures are in poor condition, 6,539 (141 major) structures are in fair condition and 3,081 (44 major) structures are in good condition.

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Write Up:

The public has indicated that the condition of Missouri’s existing roadway system should be one of the state’s highest priorities. Currently, 804 (26 major) structures are in poor condition, 6,539 (141 major) structures are in fair condition and 3,081 (44 major) structures are in good condition.

The number of structures in poor condition peaked at 922 in 2017 and is trending downward. The number of good condition structures has a declining trend but did increase in 2022. The number of fair condition structures has been increasing. The decrease in poor condition bridges is reflective of MoDOT’s Asset Management Program focus on poor structures through the Governor’s Focus on Bridges program as well as design-build projects and other Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) programming in various districts. The declining trend in good structures, as well as the increase in fair condition structures, is reflective of MoDOT’s aging bridge inventory with many structures needing minor maintenance or rehabilitation.

For major bridges, the number of structures in poor condition peaked in 2018 at 27 and is currently 26. The number of fair structures has remained the same for the last two years at 141. The number of good structures increased, which is reflective of three major STIP project investments that are currently under construction. Work on major bridges is expensive, with rehabilitations costing $15 million to $30 million and replacements ranging from $40 million to $300 million. Ohio has been selected for comparison, as its total of 10,436 (161 major) state highway bridges is only 12 more than Missouri. The two states also have similar demographics, geography and weather conditions. 

MoDOT’s asset management goal for bridges is to keep the statewide total number of poor bridges at 900 or less and the number of poor major bridges at 20 or less.

Purpose of the Measure:

This measure tracks progress toward improving the condition of Missouri’s bridges.

Measurement and Data Collection:

This measure is updated in July based on MoDOT inspections conducted the prior year. Data is presented for all state bridges and major bridges. Major bridges are those that are 1,000 feet long or longer.  Of the 10,387 bridges on state highways, 204 are considered major bridges.  Bridges are categorized as being in good, fair or poor condition in accordance with criteria established by FHWA. Good means no significant condition-related problems exist. Fair indicates that moderate problems exist that may require minor rehabilitation or maintenance to return the structure to good condition. Poor indicates that more significant problems exist which will require either a major rehabilitation or replacement of the structure.

The target for this measure is set internally and reflects the department’s goal of “holding its own” in terms of bridge condition.

Result Driver

Mark Croarkin
Title
District Engineer
Department
Southeast District
Contact Info

Email: mark.croarkin@modot.mo.gov

Phone: (573) 472-5341

Measurement Driver

Matthew Geiger
Title
District Bridge Engineer
Department
Southwest District
Contact Info

Email: Matthew.Geiger@modot.mo.gov

Phone: (417) 895-7643