“What happened that early morning of March 26th was horrific. What happened next was inspiring. And it is what happened next and every day since that day that has allowed us to come together and mark and celebrate the fact that, as of today, as of this week, the channel is open, the ships are moving, the terminals are operating, and this great American port is full steam ahead.” – U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg at the opening of the Port of Baltimore on June 10, 2024.
When the Port of Baltimore reopened a few weeks ago, it was a celebratory moment in a saga that will likely continue for several more years, as the Francis Scott Key Bridge, that spans the Patapsco River, is rebuilt. Its expected completion is sometime in 2028.
While it can be exciting to watch the wall-to-wall media coverage of large events like this one, or the collapse of the I-95 bridge in Philadelphia last year – that had its own 24/7 video feed so you could watch the demolition and repairs in real time – events like the collision that brought down the Francis Scott Key Bridge highlight real security concerns for U.S. infrastructure.
Several policy and security heavyweights have weighed in on the importance of creating more secure bridges and ports throughout the U.S. The Rand Corporation issued a chilling warning after the Francis Scott Key collapse about how now our enemies know “how vulnerable an American port could be to an attack by something as common as a cargo ship going nine miles per hour.”
Bridge Infrastructure Risks
Waterway bridge collapses occur across the U.S., though few are caused by collisions. According to the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure, there were 35 major bridge collapses caused by waterway collisions from 1960 to 2015. Among these, 18 incidents happened in the U.S., resulting in 95 fatalities and at least 87 injuries. The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse added six more fatalities, increasing the total number of deaths from these collisions to 111.
While high-profile waterway bridge collision collapses highlight significant vulnerabilities in U.S. infrastructure, they are not the most common type of bridge incident. A 2020 report from the Federal Highway Administration revealed that over 15,000 “fixed object bridge collisions” occur annually. These incidents involve vehicles striking bridge supports and structures, including those over waterways, roadways, and railways, causing substantial damage.
Research from Utah State University in 2014 indicated that approximately 128 bridges collapse each year in the U.S. While some of these are due to collisions, the majority result from aging infrastructure and the cumulative effects of corrosion, shifting, and wear and tear from heavy traffic.
Waterway bridges, however, are among the most vulnerable to collapse when struck, and a large part of what the Center for Strategic & International Studies called the “National Security Threat” of “Broken Infrastructure” in 2021.
“Increasing public spending on infrastructure to levels similar to the mid-twentieth century would create more than 3 million jobs by 2029 and boost productivity. The U.S. economy would grow by $2.70 for every dollar spent,” said columnist Jonathan E. Hillman.
Hillman drew comparisons between the National Highway System initiative of the 1950s and today to demonstrate the long-term ripple effect of infrastructure on national security.
“‘The capacity of the U.S. highway system to support the mobilization of troops and to move equipment and forces to U.S. ports of embarkation was key to successful deployment,’ Lieutenant General Kenneth R. Wykle explained to Congress after the First Gulf War. The problem, however, is that the National Highway System was designed to last until the 1970s.”
Just like most U.S. bridges, which are reaching their life expectancy in ever-greater numbers:
- The average age of a bridge in t he U.S. is 44 years
- 42% of all U.S. bridges are 50 years old or older
- 231,000 (37.4%) of U.S. bridges are in need of repair/restoration
- 46,154 (7.5%) of U.S. bridges are considered structurally deficient/in poor condition
- 178,000 trips cross "structurally deficient" U.S. bridges daily
These figures from the ASCE’s 2021 Report Card of America’s Infrastructure highlight the need for bridge repair and replacement in every sector: highways, railways, and waterways. The ASCE believes that even if a wholesale effort were made to repair all the 46,000 structurally deficient bridges, it would take until 2071 to do so, and by then, even more bridges will have aged out, become unstable, or collapsed.
Building More Secure Bridges
As the nation begins to feel the initial infusion of new infrastructure dollars, it may be worth considering what steps engineers, architects, and designers can take to build more secure bridges.
Both the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Department of Homeland Security have it in their missions to secure America’s bridges. The Highway Administration’s office of Bridges and Structures offers guidelines for engineers, architects, VDCs, and others who plan and execute large-scale bridge design-build projects, to help construct bridges that can be considered “secured facilities” that can withstand fire, explosions, or sabotage. And Homeland Security’s mandate includes protecting “critical infrastructure,” including connecting bridges and tunnels, among others, from harm or attack.
The FHWA’s Office of Bridges and Structures is made up of four teams: Structural, Hydraulics and Geotechnical, Bridge and Tunnel Safety Inspection, and Structures Management and Preservation. They also have the Bridge and Tunnel Safety and Security Program, which seeks to document solutions for “protecting critical infrastructure and reducing risk from intentional or related multi-threats.”
The security program includes research and development, case studies and best practices, and deployment of training to help those involved in the design and construction of bridges build the safest and most secure structures possible.
As the infrastructure dollars roll out, some $300 billion has been earmarked for roads and bridges in “the largest investment since President Eisenhower’s investment in the interstate highway system,” including more than 7,800 bridge infrastructure projects, so far.
GPRS can help you intelligently visualize your design-build project, above and below-ground, to keep your project on time, on budget, and safe.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you test a concrete bridge structure?
Yes, concrete bridge structures can be tested using various methods to ensure their safety and integrity. Common techniques include:
- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): Methods like Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV), and Infrared Thermography are used to detect internal defects without damaging the structure
- Load Testing: This involves applying controlled loads to the bridge to assess its performance under stress
- Visual Inspections: Regular inspections by trained engineers to identify visible signs of damage or wear
- Structural Health Monitoring (SHM): Utilizing sensors and monitoring systems to continuously assess the condition of the bridge over time
These methods help identify potential issues such as cracks, voids, or corrosion, ensuring the bridge remains safe for use.
What is the United States' bridge inspection process?
The United States' bridge inspection process is governed by the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) and involves the following steps:
- Regular Inspections: Bridges are inspected at least once every two years by certified inspectors
- Detailed Inspections: More comprehensive inspections are conducted if initial inspections reveal significant issues or if the bridge has unique structural features
- Special Inspections: These are performed in response to unusual events like natural disasters, accidents, or significant changes in bridge condition
- Condition Rating: Inspectors assign ratings to various components of the bridge, such as deck, superstructure, and substructure, based on their condition
- Reporting & Maintenance: Findings are documented in inspection reports, which are used to prioritize maintenance, repairs, and upgrades to ensure bridge safety
This systematic process helps maintain the structural integrity and safety of bridges across the country.
What is the ASCE?
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is a professional organization that represents civil engineers in the United States. Founded in 1852, the ASCE provides professional development, standards and guidelines, advocacy, and publications and resources in the area of civil engineering.
The ASCE plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and safety of infrastructure through its leadership and expertise in civil engineering. They issue a Report Card on the state of the nation's infrastructure on a regular basis.
