Iowa bridges among nation’s worst, Wright County no exception

Engineer says 27 percent of local structures in trouble

A recent press release from the Iowa News Service told about an analysis done by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) on the condition of the country’s bridge system. It turns out that Iowa has one of the highest percentages in the nation for bridges needing either major repairs or upgrades. This was a major piece of what local governments, and state lawmakers, were using to push for a gas tax increase as a way to at least put a dent into this growing problem. According to County Engineer Adam Clemons, one doesn’t have to look far to find plenty of them around this county either.

“There are 172 total bridges that we take care of in the county, with about 47 of them (or 27 percent) considered structurally deficient or obsolete,” said Clemons. “We’re a little higher than the state-wide average (about 20-25 percent, or over 5,000 total).”

Read the full article in the April 30 edition of the WCM.