Local bridges aging; many structurally deficient
Idaho transportation officials warn roads and bridges in the state are deteriorating at a greater rate than they’re equipped to deal with.
The National Bridge Inventory shows 22 percent of Gem State bridges are considered structurally deficient. Ed Bala, an Idaho Transportation Department engineer, said this is fast becoming the rule rather than the exception.
“Five or six years ago, around 700 of them were 50 years old, and now, 950 or so are 50 years old,” said Bala.
In Pocatello, the Lewis Street bridge over the Portneuf River has a deck listed in poor condition. Records show it was built in 1948.
But some younger structures are also rated as deficient, including several portions of the Interstate 15/Interstate 86 interchange.
While far from ideal, Bala said all of the state’s bridges are safe to drive on.
“They shouldn’t be concerned about the term ‘structurally deficient,'” said Bala. “We inspect every bridge every two years very thoroughly right down to the foundations.”
But the foundations looked a little shakier at the Cheyenne Avenue bridge in southern Pocatello.
Dating back to 1932, it’s one of the oldest bridges in the state. The deck is listed in serious condition and it has only a 5.6 percent sufficiency rating.
“They shouldn’t worry that the infrastructure’s gonna collapse tomorrow. What we’re thinking about is a long-term strategy,” said Bala.
In the long-term, the bridge is being replaced by the city as part of the long-awaited South Valley Connector Project. Bala said the project could begin any week now.
Meanwhile, ITD said it is in desperate need of funding to just to maintain current infrastructure conditions. The agency is asking lawmakers for $262 million.
“If the transportation system was to stop, then three days after that day, our grocery store shelves here in Pocatello would run out of food,” said Bala.
Bala said ITD is currently falling below its goal of having at least 74 percent of the state’s bridges in good condition.
