Structurally Deficient and Functionally Obsolete Bridges in Minnesota

After the deadly collapse of the U.S. Interstate 35W bridge in August 2007 in downtown Minneapolis, attention was quickly focused on the condition of the nation’s bridge infrastructure. This map illustrates the location of functionally obsolete and structurally deficient bridges in Minnesota from table data maintained by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Each bridge icon indicates the bridge inventory number, sufficiency rating range, and condition. The map was distributed on the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy’s Web site and included additional detailed data about the bridges, such as year of construction and date of last inspection. The maps were intended to reveal the spatial pattern of failing bridges, to locate which congressional and legislative districts they belonged, and to help legislators decide on funding for maintenance activities.

Copyright Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, 2007.