Missouri Bridges

Meeting Missouri's Future Mobility Needs | Highways and Roads | Bridges | Travel | Congestion | Safety | Economic Impact | Vehicle Operating Costs | Funding and Taxes

Missouri’s bridges are under considerable strain due to increasing levels of highway travel. Bridge deficiencies may require state officials to restrict vehicle weights on bridges.

Missouri has the second-worst bridges in the nation, with 26 percent of its bridges 20 feet or longer structurally deficient. More than one of every four bridges in Missouri is reported as structurally deficient by The Road Information Program.

• Missouri’s bridges are rated the second-worst in the nation.
  
• A bridge is structurally deficient if there is significant deterioration of the bridge deck, supports or other major components. Bridges that are structurally deficient are often post for lower weight or are closed if they are found to be unsafe.
  
• Restrictions on vehicle weight may cause many vehicles – especially emergency vehicles, commercial trucks, school buses and farm equipment – to use alternate routes to avoid these bridges.
  
• Bridge deficiencies have an impact on mobility and safety within the state.
  
• Narrow bridge lanes, inadequate underclearance and poorly aligned bridge approaches reduce traffic safety.
  
• Redirected trips lengthen travel time, waste fuel and reduce the efficiency of the local economy.