Concerns about bridge safety have surged in Massachusetts following the devastating Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore. With over 400 bridges in the state being labeled as in poor condition or structurally deficient, scrutiny is intensifying on the aging infrastructure, the Patch reported. A federal Transportation Department report last year found that, out of 5,281 bridges in Massachusetts, 1,339 are in good condition, 3,492 are in fair condition, and 450 are in poor condition.
Recent assessments have revealed that many of the state's bridges, including vital interstate overpasses, are reaching the end of their lifespan. The Boston Globe noted Massachusetts' bridge system is the oldest nationwide, with an average bridge age of 56 years. Jonathan Gulliver, the state highway administrator, acknowledged the challenges, saying, "We have a lot of deterioration that is always a constant battle to keep up with."
Massachusetts officials are gearing up for significant refurbishments like the Tobin Bridge revamp, which is expected to last until at least 2027. This emphasis on restoration comes as the state tries to manage a portfolio of bridges that are "exceptionally old" and dealing with the impacts of climate change and heavier vehicles, as highlighted by Boston Globe conversations with experts.
Meanwhile, certain bridges like the Sagamore and Bourne that connect Cape Cod to the mainland are marked as "functionally obsolete." State officials plan to prioritize the replacement of the Sagamore bridge because it handles, a significantly higher volume of traffic than the Bourne bridge. Governor Maura Healey also convened a meeting with the US Coast Guard and the Massachusetts Port Authority to review the state's safety protocols, in the wake of the Baltimore incident.
Despite pressing concerns, the state is allocating resources towards sturdier infrastructure. The current state budget includes $50 million from the so-called millionaires tax revenue for highway bridge preservation — though that's only half of what Healey had proposed, as stated by the Boston Globe. Mitigating these issues is crucial, with high traffic overpasses like the Route 93/1 on Route 24, bearing nearly 199,278 vehicles per day and others in similar predicaments, enduring continuous wear and tear every day.
