10 U.S. Bridges That Engineers Say Are "Structurally Deficient"

"A bridge failure might sound like something from a blockbuster, but real damage usually creeps in slowly. Across the nation, engineers watch thousands of bridges that remain open, yet are far from their best condition. "Structurally deficient" is not a death sentence, but it signals repairs can no longer wait. These 10 bridges handle massive traffic and are a serious concern nationwide today. New York's iconic suspension bridge has been in service since 1883. These days, it's dealing with more than just selfie-taking pedestrians. Classified as structurally deficient, the Brooklyn Bridge carries a little over 100,000 vehicles per day, according to New York City traffic data. Routine repairs keep it functional."

"This double-decker bridge handles constant commuter and freight movement. It has been listed as functionally obsolete in the federal bridge inventory since the 1990s, with long-standing plans for major rehabilitation or replacement. Presidents have used it as a backdrop for infrastructure speeches, but major upgrades remain a work in progress. The structure linking the Lincoln Memorial to Arlington National Cemetery isn't just historically symbolic; it's also structurally tired. Opened in 1932, it suffered decades of delayed maintenance. A partial overhaul wrapped up in recent years, but the bridge still carries a structurally deficient designation following its long decline."

Thousands of U.S. bridges remain open while showing significant deterioration that requires attention. A "structurally deficient" designation indicates repairs can no longer wait but does not necessarily require immediate closure. High-profile examples carry heavy daily traffic, including the Brooklyn Bridge with over 100,000 vehicles per day and the nearly seven-mile San Mateo–Hayward Bridge. Some spans are labeled functionally obsolete with long-standing plans for rehabilitation or replacement, such as the Brent Spence Bridge. Deferred maintenance has left historically significant crossings like the Memorial Bridge tired despite partial overhauls and retrofit work.

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