Thousands of U.S. Bridges at Risk of Collapse Due to Age, Climate Change and Heavy Traffic

46,000 bridges in the U.S. are in poor condition and 17,000 are at risk of collapse from a single hit. Thousands could collapse from collisions.

Climate change and increasingly heavy trucks are putting strain on aging bridges, decreasing their lifespans.

Over 21,000 bridges are vulnerable to extreme weather events threatening their foundations.

More than 17,000 "fracture critical" bridges are at risk of full collapse if hit in the wrong spot.

Larger modern vessels pose a threat to old bridges not designed to withstand their size. Structures to protect bridges are needed.