In the early morning hours of March 26, 2024, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland collapsed. Named after the author of the Star Spangled Banner, this bridge, also known as the Key Bridge, had been standing strong since 1977. While the bridge collapse occurred due to a cargo ship losing power and crashing into one of its main beams, the tragedy still brings about concerns regarding the safety of bridges across the U.S.
A recent study analyzed which cities in the U.S. have the worst bridges. In this study, which was supported by the expertise of engineers and bridge specialists, it was found that thousands of bridges across the country are at great risk of failure due to the degradation of structural components as well as continuous exposure to harsh elements and weather conditions. In fact, 4.7% of all bridges in the 50 largest cities in the U.S. have at least one element that deems them to be in poor condition. In this article, we will explore some key findings and trends in the data set that shed light on America’s bridges.
Cities With the Worst Quality Bridges
The cities with the worst quality bridges spanned from coast to coast. Here is the breakdown of the top five cities with the worst bridge quality in the 50 largest cities in the U.S.:
- Portland, Oregon (37.7%)
- Seattle, Washington (22.2%)
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (12.3%)
- Boston, Massachusetts (11.4%)
- New York, New York (10.9%)
The percentages following the cities and states indicate the share of bridges in each respective city that have been deemed to be in poor condition.
In looking at these poorly rated bridges, a clear correlation cannot be drawn between the different cities, as they all vary in population size and location.
Cities With the Best Quality Bridges
Although a pattern could not be established amongst the worst quality bridges, there was a clear overlap between the top five cities with the best bridge quality in the U.S. Interestingly, the top five cities were located in just two states – Arizona and Texas. Here is the breakdown:
- Mesa, Arizona (0%)
- Tucson, Arizona (0.2%)
- Austin, Texas (0.4%)
- San Antonio, Texas (0.5%)
- Houston, Texas (0.8%)
In looking at what differentiates these two states from others, a conclusion can be drawn that both Arizona and Texas are notorious for having extremely hot weather, particularly during the summer months. Perhaps, this plays a role in the overall lack of degradation of these bridges.
Where is Baltimore on the List?
Although we know that the Key Bridge collapse was due to an extraneous event, it is still interesting to note that Baltimore was rated ninth for having the worst quality bridges in the 50 largest cities in the U.S. Just under 9% of their bridges have been deemed to be in poor condition, and the Key Bridge was not part of that 9%. Furthermore, it can be safely assumed that the Key Bridge collapse was not due in part to the condition of the bridge.
Looking Ahead
Overall, this study highlights the importance of bridge safety and the structural integrity of bridges across the U.S. Moving forward, more efforts need to be made to help maintain and improve our bridge infrastructure in order to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of motor vehicles. By addressing these structural issues before they become serious, we can help mitigate the risk of accidents occurring.
