Key takeaways about the condition of US bridges and their role in the economy

By DAVID A. LIEB and MICHAEL CASEY
Associated Press

The collapse of a Baltimore bridge that got struck by a cargo ship has highlighted the important role that bridges play in the daily lives of many Americans. Though that bridge was in satisfactory shape before the collision, more than 42,000 other bridges are in poor condition across the country. An Associated Press analysis found that more than 15,800 of those bridges also were listed in poor condition a decade ago. A bridge collapse can be deadly. But the closure of bridges due to safety concerns also can result in an economic hit to a community, especially for nearby businesses and commuters.