Over 1,000 Texas bridges rated ‘structurally deficient’

TEXAS – More than 1,000 Texas bridges are rated "structurally deficient" in a new federal report.

But things could be much worse.

According to the 2016 Annual Bridge Report based upon 2015 Federal Highway Administration data, the 1,008 Texas bridges with a "deficient" rating represent less than 2 percent of the Lone Star State’s 53,209 bridges.

That’s about as good as it gets among the 50 states and District of Columbia.

As defined by the highway administration, "structurally deficient" means that one or more of the key bridge elements, such as the deck, superstructure or substructure, is considered to be in poor or worse condition. 

While these structures are safe right now, they need to be repaired, the association said.

Nationwide, more than 58,000 bridges are deficient and account for about 204 million daily crossings. 

The good news is that’s about 2,600 fewer than in last year’s report, but at today’s pace of bridge investment, it would take 21 years to upgrade or replace them all, according to the association.