Report Calls 21% of Providence County Bridges 'Structurally Deficient'

A new report from the Rhode Island Public Interest Research Group attempts to shed some light on the state of our state's infrastructure.

The report states that based on 2009 inspection data and costs, Rhode Island would need $1.13 billion to bring all of our bridges into a state of good repair. By comparison, Rhode Island spent $39 million total on bridge repair and replacement in 2008. The report ranks Rhode Island 4th worst nationally in terms of the overall condition of the state's bridges (1 being the worst, 51 being the best).

In Providence County, PIRG says that out of 467 bridges, 99 are structurally deficient, a percentage of 21.2 percent. Age may be a factor — more than 322 Rhode Island bridges are already 50 years old or older, according to PIRG.

DOT spokesman Charles St. Martin told the Providence Journal that the Route 195 relocation project has eliminated a number of deficient bridges in the state.