Trends October 2024

Parul Dubey on September 26, 2024 - in News, Trends

In this section, Informed Infrastructure compiles infographics from trusted sources that reveal insight on infrastructure spending. We also compile some of the top infrastructure stories that shouldn’t be missed. For ongoing news coverage, turn to Informed Infrastructure online (www.informedinfrastructure.com), our Twitter feed (@IInfrastructure) and our weekly e-newsletter.

Government Data Show Some Progress Repairing America’s Bridges

Nearly 221,800 U.S. bridges need major repair or replacement, an American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) analysis of recently released federal government data shows. Placed end-to-end, these structures span more than 6,100 miles—the equivalent of every mile of urban and rural Interstate in California, Florida and Illinois.

Of the bridges needing repair, 42,067 are rated in poor condition and classified as “structurally deficient.” That is 324 fewer than in 2023. States with the biggest decline in the number of bridges in poor condition: Pennsylvania (down 90), Louisiana (down 87), Florida (down 85), West Virginia (down 74) and California (down 64).

Bridges in poor condition represent 6.8 percent of the 2024 U.S. bridge inventory—compared to 7.3 percent in 2020.

“Over the last five years we have seen significant progress in states like Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Louisiana and West Virginia—reducing the number of bridges in poor condition,” said Dr. Alison Premo Black, ARTBA’s chief economist, who conducted the analysis. “While improvements can take time, every bridge repair increases the safety and efficiency of our network for the traveling public.”

States have received $15.9 billion in the first three years of the IIJA’s new $27.5 billion formula bridge program and, to date, have committed 46 percent ($7.3 billion) of these resources to more than 4,170 bridge projects. The remaining 54 percent ($8.5 billion) of already released bridge funds—plus the $10.6 billion that will be provided in the next two years—will support needed bridge improvements well into the future.

Access the full report at www.artbabridgereport.org.

Speed of Construction Tops List of Structural Engineers’ Concerns

The National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA) released results from its survey of structural engineers, who closely collaborate with building developers and architects, about their biggest concerns for communities and the built environment. Topping the list of concerns was the speed of construction projects (42 percent of respondents) followed closely by deferment of important structural improvements and repairs (41 percent of respondents).

“The increased pace of design and construction can pose challenges to detailed coordination and project quality, but it also opens up new opportunities,” said Andrew Podojil, P.E., S.E., associate at Veitas Engineers. “Involving structural engineers early and expanding contracted scope allows deeper collaboration; better risk management; and, ultimately, elevates project outcomes.”

After construction speed and lack of important improvements and repairs, survey respondents (37 percent) indicated that aging infrastructure was also a major area of concern.

“Investing in the rehabilitation and retrofit of existing buildings and infrastructure may not be the easiest sell to decision makers, but these are necessary investments for the safety and resilience of our communities,” added Ed Quesenberry, S.E., founding principal of Equilibrium Engineers LLC and NCSEA past president. “Structural engineers have the knowledge and tools to make these critical improvements as economically feasible as possible.”

FAA Issues $291 Million to Clean Aviation Fuel Projects

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently issued $291 million provided by the Inflation Reduction Act enacted in 2022 for projects that will help achieve the goal of net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions from aviation by 2050.

The agency noted that those grants, via its Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition (FAST) program, include:

• $244.5 million for 22 projects that produce, transport, blend or store sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and for scoping studies related to SAF infrastructure needs. SAF is a jet fuel made from renewable sources that reduces carbon pollution on a lifecycle basis compared to conventional jet fuel and can be used safely in today’s aircraft and engines. These grants will expand SAF production, enhance SAF supply chains and increase SAF accessibility.

• $46.5 million for 14 projects that develop, demonstrate or apply low-emission aviation technologies. These grants will reduce carbon pollution, improve aircraft fuel efficiency and increase SAF use.

The FAST grant awardees, which oversee projects in 23 states, include established and startup fuel producers; fuel logistics and supply chain companies; engine, aircraft and component manufacturers; state and local governments; airport authorities; and universities.

U.S. Rural Roads and Bridges Need Significant Repairs and Have High Fatality Rates

According to a new report released by TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit, America’s rural transportation system needs repairs and modernization to support economic growth and improve traffic safety, but the United States faces a $198 billion backlog in funding for needed repairs and improvements to its rural transportation system. The report, “Rural Connections: Examining the Safety, Connectivity, Condition and Funding Needs of America’s Rural Roads & Bridges,” evaluates the safety and condition of the nation’s rural roads and bridges and finds that the nation’s rural transportation system needs immediate improvements to address deficient roads and bridges, high crash rates and inadequate connectivity and capacity.

Roads, highways, rails and bridges in the nation’s rural areas face significant challenges: they lack adequate capacity, they fail to provide needed levels of connectivity to many communities, and they can’t adequately support growing freight travel in many corridors. Rural roads and bridges have significant deficiencies and deterioration, they lack many desirable safety features, and rural non-Interstate roads experience fatal traffic crashes at a rate far higher than all other roads and highways.

The full report is at bit.ly/4ef4AVe.

Trends October 2024

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