BY: CAITY COYNE – JULY 28, 2023 6:00 AM
West Virginia is still leading the nation with the highest percentage of bridges in poor condition, according to data released last month by the Federal Highways Administration.
Of the 7,323 bridges in West Virginia, nearly 20% are classified by the federal agency as being in “poor” condition while 23% are in “good” condition and nearly 57% are “fair.”
The rate of bridges in poor condition in West Virginia remains fairly consistent compared to five years ago, according to the Federal Highways. West Virginia has had the highest percentage of bridges in poor condition in the nation since 2020, when it surpassed Rhode Island, where 22% of bridges were considered poor.
Bridge conditions are determined by a formula analyzing different components of a bridge, including paving, cracks, structural performance, average usage and any reported damage. Bridges that score lower than four with the formula are considered “poor,” those between four and seven are “fair” and bridges scoring higher than a seven are in “good” condition, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
In December, Gov. Jim Justice announced that West Virginia would receive more than $548 million in funding for bridge projects across the state through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Spokespeople for the state Department of Transportation, which oversees bridge projects and construction, did not return requests for comment Thursday seeking more information on where this money has been allocated.
According to project maps on the Department of Transportation’s website, only 12 of a total 131 bridge projects have been completed in the state this year. Last year, 69 of 177 projects were completed and in 2021 — when delays were still likely due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic — just 32 of 169 total bridge projects were completed.
The funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — signed into law by President Joe Biden in November of 2021 — adds an annual $110 million in federal dollars for bridge projects in West Virginia. The state, on average, budgets about $167 million a year for bridge projects. Starting in 2024, that’s expected to increase to $217 million, according to the Department of Transportation.
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