[simage=5227,400,y,center]
A new study ranks Iowa 3rd in the nation by measure of structurally deficient bridges. The organization Transportation for America, which works to promote improving the nations transportation infrastructure, found 21.7% of Iowa’s bridges to be structurally deficient.

According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, that term is used by the federal government used to identify bridges eligible for funding assistance. Structurally deficient means brediges need significant maintenance attention, rehabilitation or replacement. Twenty-nine percent of Marion County’s 235 bridges are structurally deficient, ranking the county 27th of 99.

Adams County in southwest Iowa has the larges percentage of deficient bridges at 46, Clinton County in the eastern part of the state leads the way with just 3.7% Nationally, Pennsylvania has the highest percentage of deficient bridges at 26.5%. Nevada’s bridges are in the best shape, only 39 of that state’s bridges are structurally deficient, 2.2% of the total.

The Bridges of Madison County were found to be 31.7% deficient.