DENVER — The deadly collapse of a pedestrian bridge in Miami Thursday has put the issue of failing infrastructure back in the spotlight.
Colorado has its share of bridge problems with nearly 500 of the state’s 8,682 bridges classified as structurally deficient. The classification means a portion of the bridge has some sort of significant defect, which often prompts the Colorado Department of Transportation to place weight or speed restrictions on the structure.
Additionally, a recent survey by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association identified 855 functionally obsolete bridges in Colorado, which means those structures don't meet design standards.
Colorado has been working to address some of the deficiencies pointed out in the 2017 Bridge Report. Over the last 10 years, the state has spent nearly $1 billion on the construction 586 new bridges and the reconstruction of 79 bridges.
However, the state will need to spend at least another $2 billion to bring more than 1,200 bridges up to code, according to the analysis.
Here are the top 10 most traveled structurally deficient bridges in Colorado:
1. I-70 over Havana Street (built 1964)
Bridge was replaced in 2017
2. 6th Avenue over Wadsworth Boulevard (built 1972)
3. I-70 over Harlan Street (built 1967)
4. I-70 WB over Quebec Street (built 1964)
5. I-70 EB over Quebec Street (built 1964)
6. I-70 WB over Union Pacific rail lines (built 1964)
7. I-70 EB over Union Pacific rail lines (built 1960)
8. Northfield Quebec Street over Sand Creek (built 1962)
9. I-70 EB over Kipling Street (built 1967)
10. I-70 WB over Kipling Street (built 1967)
