“If any bridge is unsafe, we immediately take it out of service,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in the Washington Post article. “However, it’s no secret that many aging bridges across the country are in need of repair or replacement, and there simply isn’t enough money in Washington to fund them all.”

Well, somehow we need to find the money, whether it’s raising the gas tax or working on implementation of vehicle miles traveled (VMT). We can’t just let our bridges crumble – and our nation’s infrastructure with it.

From the Better Roads 2012 Annual Bridge Inventory

Top 10* states** with the highest percentage of total combined total SD/FO*** bridges (includes state-interstate and city/county)

1. Washington, D.C.             55%

2. Rhode Island                    49%

3. Pennsylvania                   40%

4a. Hawaii                            37%

4b. New York                       37%

5. Connecticut                      36%

6. Massachusetts                35%

7. West Virginia                   34%

8a. Kentucky                       30%

8b. North Carolina               30%

8c. Vermont                         30%

9. New Hampshire               29%

10. Louisiana                        28%

*Since some states are tied, more than 10 states are listed. **Washington, D.C., is listed   with states. For a full list of the states, see the table of the full figures.

Source: Better Roads 2012 Bridge Inventory