10 U.S. Bridges That Engineers Say Are "Structurally Deficient"

"A bridge failure might sound like something from a blockbuster, but real damage usually creeps in slowly. Across the nation, engineers watch thousands of bridges that remain open, yet are far from their best condition. "Structurally deficient" is not a death sentence, but it signals repairs can no longer wait. These 10 bridges handle massive traffic and are a serious concern nationwide today."

"Brent Spence Bridge, Kentucky-Ohio Credit: Wikimedia Commons This double-decker bridge handles constant commuter and freight movement. It has been listed as functionally obsolete in the federal bridge inventory since the 1990s, with long-standing plans for major rehabilitation or replacement. Presidents have used it as a backdrop for infrastructure speeches, but major upgrades remain a work in progress. Memorial Bridge, Washington, D.C. Credit: Wikimedia Commons The structure linking the Lincoln Memorial to Arlington National Cemetery isn't just historically symbolic; it's also structurally tired."

Bridge failures typically develop gradually, and engineers monitor thousands of bridges that remain open despite diminished condition. A structurally deficient designation indicates needed repairs without requiring immediate closure. Ten heavily used bridges across the country exemplify serious infrastructure concerns. The Brooklyn Bridge (in service since 1883) carries roughly 100,000 vehicles daily and relies on routine repairs. The Brent Spence Bridge is a double-decker listed as functionally obsolete since the 1990s with long-planned rehabilitation or replacement. The Memorial Bridge (opened 1932) suffered decades of delayed maintenance and underwent a partial overhaul but still remains structurally deficient. The San Mateo–Hayward Bridge spans nearly seven miles, received late-1990s seismic retrofits, and was later widened.

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