Iowa Has A Serious Deficient Bridge Problem

[THE_DEVIL]

A new report from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association says that Iowa has a bad bridge problem. Not that it has too many bridges but actually bad bridges. Bridges that should make you nervous to drive on.


We're number one

50 states ranking

 

[fredjr82]

The argument that is always countered to the OP is "how many of those bridges are on old dirt roads, nobody drives on anymore?".

I jumped into the link but don't see a breakdown? Are we talking bridges on I80, I380, I35, Hwy 20, etc?

 

[uihawk82]

The argument that is always countered to the OP is "how many of those bridges are on old dirt roads, nobody drives on anymore?".

I jumped into the link but don't see a breakdown? Are we talking bridges on I80, I380, I35, Hwy 20, etc?

It doesnt matter, fix them with your state surplus of $6 billion dollars and Fed infrastructure and DOT money If that Fed money is going to be axes by Rump.

 

[uihawk82]

A new report from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association says that Iowa has a bad bridge problem. Not that it has too many bridges but actually bad bridges. Bridges that should make you nervous to drive on.


We're number one

50 states ranking

Yep, they have been for a decade or more. But Gov Dimmy is squirrling $6 billion in her state surpluse and cutting taxes to "make us great again". And the tRump and Doger will probably NIX Bidens Infrastructure ACt which is been building and fixing big stuff and they will probably cut taxes and Fed road construction money.

They dont care. When some dies going over a bridge they will wring their hands and say "we did not know". And people will yell where was our govt when Biden and the Dems put trillions toward rebuilding and fixing. The the trillions go to buy american steel and concrete, goes to a lot of great paying construction jobs, and goes to a lot of businesses.

The Repubs only want to cut taxes and job creation and the money then goes into the billionaires and millionairs pockets.

 

[lucas80]

Iowa Republicans remain laser focused on gender cleansing while the needs of their constituents are ignored.

 

[BonzoFury]

The argument that is always countered to the OP is "how many of those bridges are on old dirt roads, nobody drives on anymore?".

I jumped into the link but don't see a breakdown? Are we talking bridges on I80, I380, I35, Hwy 20, etc?

Judging by the number it's all-encompassing. 7th most in the country has to include all the rural roads. That's an average of 240 bridges/county. Wow.

 

[drew_hawk]

A new report from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association says that Iowa has a bad bridge problem. Not that it has too many bridges but actually bad bridges. Bridges that should make you nervous to drive on.


We're number one

50 states ranking

 

[The Tradition]

I thought the Iowa bridges was the state's biggest claim to fame?

 

[lucas80]

Hopefully those millions of people moving to Iowa for the great retirement living don't have to cross bridges to get to their canasta games.

 

[Old_wrestling_fan]

"Iowa has terrible bridges" has been an annual news story going back 30 years, or more...for real. Local newscasters breathlessly report on this every year.

Meanwhile, I can think of numerous bridges that have been rebuilt or repaired in that time and no significant bridge with a catastrophic failure.

What gives? Who is making this list? What is their criteria? How many bridges that were identified as faulty say, 5 or 10 years ago are still in safe operation?

 

[cigaretteman]

It is certainly a problem, but the DOT and counties are replacing hundreds of them every year.

 

[Chishawk1425]

A new report from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association says that Iowa has a bad bridge problem. Not that it has too many bridges but actually bad bridges. Bridges that should make you nervous to drive on.


We're number one

50 states ranking

But the Trans

 

[QChawks]

whatever

we have a lot of boats

 

[ItsinourDNA]

It doesnt matter, fix them with your state surplus of $6 billion dollars and Fed infrastructure and DOT money If that Fed money is going to be axes by Rump.

No, obviously that money has to make it's way into the GOP leadership's pockets or their friend's pockets

and who can ever account for any of this? NOBODY because the state auditor isn't allowed to do the job mandated by the people.

what a fcking joke state we live in with a shitton of rube voters

 

[torbee]

A new report from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association says that Iowa has a bad bridge problem. Not that it has too many bridges but actually bad bridges. Bridges that should make you nervous to drive on.


We're number one

50 states ranking

And #1 in Iowa is right here in River City!

It is pretty at night though 🤷‍♂️

 

[NorthernHawkeye]

"Iowa has terrible bridges" has been an annual news story going back 30 years, or more...for real. Local newscasters breathlessly report on this every year.

So do HROT dems...

It's like clockwork.

 

[SA_Hawk]

Without researching it Iowa is probably top 5 in total number of bridges. Lots of farm access and the 1 x 1 mile section grid road system requires lots of stream crossing.

 

[LuteHawk]

May we never forget the 1995 film "Bridges of Madison County" in which
Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep taught us about love in Iowa.
A photographer and a lonesome farmer's wife have an affair while
her husband is away. Sure the covered bridges were cute but the
message from Iowa was loud and clear: Don't neglect your wife and
leave her all alone in the farmhouse. Don't worry about neglected bridges.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

whatever

we have a lot of boats

And hoes. Don’t forget about the hoes.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

May we never forget the film "Bridges of Madison County" in which
Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep taught us about love in Iowa.
A photographer and a lonesome farmer's wife have an affair while
her husband is away. Sure the covered bridges were cute but the
message from Iowa was loud and clear: Don't neglect your wife and
leave her all alone in the farmhouse.

Sorry Lute but…

 

[TJ8869]

The argument that is always countered to the OP is "how many of those bridges are on old dirt roads, nobody drives on anymore?".

I jumped into the link but don't see a breakdown? Are we talking bridges on I80, I380, I35, Hwy 20, etc?

We have this same thread about 3 or 4 times a year. About a year and a half ago I posted this link that provides a breakdown of the type and number of bridges that need repair. Two-thirds of Iowa’s bridges that need repair are local bridges in rural areas that average about one vehicle crossing every 2 hours.

https://artbabridgereport.org/reports/state/IA.pdf

 

[jneffer]

We have this same thread about 3 or 4 times a year. About a year and a half ago I posted this link that provides a breakdown of the type and number of bridges that need repair. Two-thirds of Iowa’s bridges that need repair are local bridges in rural areas that average about one vehicle crossing every 33 minutes.

https://artbabridgereport.org/reports/state/IA.pdf

exactly

and what makes it even harder to tackle, federal funds can only be used on locally-owned bridges greater than 20' in length (which is the minority)

 

[runkpanole]

I’m still wanting to see that damn bison bridge!

 

[Tom Paris]

A new report from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association says that Iowa has a bad bridge problem. Not that it has too many bridges but actually bad bridges. Bridges that should make you nervous to drive on.


We're number one

50 states ranking

Thanks, Kim.

 

[hawksurprize]

"Iowa has terrible bridges" has been an annual news story going back 30 years, or more...for real. Local newscasters breathlessly report on this every year.

Meanwhile, I can think of numerous bridges that have been rebuilt or repaired in that time and no significant bridge with a catastrophic failure.

What gives? Who is making this list? What is their criteria? How many bridges that were identified as faulty say, 5 or 10 years ago are still in safe operation?

Well to be fair Iowa did have a fair number of wood bridges, that I think they might be referencing. Most are gone, but the one's that remain are fun to haul ass across

,

 

[hawksurprize]

And #1 in Iowa is right here in River City!

It is pretty at night though 🤷‍♂️

The gateway to a truly good shopping experience.

 

[SA_Hawk]

I bet 60-70% of these bridges could be replaced with concrete box culverts. Fast, cheap, durable and easy to build.

 

[Mister_Man]

#1 in cancer too and probably #1 or top 10 in water pollution

 

[jneffer]

I bet 60-70% of these bridges could be replaced with concrete box culverts. Fast, cheap, durable and easy to build.

and you would be wrong

i know people seem to think otherwise, but state DOTs don't go out of their way to spend more money or simply choose to build more expensive improvements

they'll use box culverts where they can. but those are rarely adequate for crossing anything other than the smallest streams

 

[SA_Hawk]

and you would be wrong

i know people seem to think otherwise, but state DOTs don't go out of their way to spend more money or simply choose to build more expensive improvements

they'll use box culverts where they can. but those are rarely adequate for crossing anything other than the smallest streams

That’s not true. A triple 14x14 box can carry a 100 year flood better than many smaller bridges.