It is predicted that the next two years will be solid ones for contractors taking on bridge construction projects at the state level.
Taking advantage of the opportunity for federal dollars flowing out of a new bridge formula program, state DOTs also are capitalizing on highway program funds and discretionary grants to repair and replace bridges across the country. That means more future construction.
ARTBA reports that bridges are a big focus for any state highway programs. The association logged more than 27,000 structures in need of repair or replacement.
According to the association, states now have access to the full $26.6 billion available in the new bridge formula program over five years.
"Unlike the core highway program, agencies have four years to commit these funds toward eligible projects," said ARTBA.
As of December 2025, states have committed $15 billion toward more than 7,350 projects, nearly 57 percent of available funds.
"And, as projects get under way, states have been reimbursed for $8.5 billion in work completed," it said.
Ongoing Problem, New Funding Program
In its 2025 bridge report, ARTBA found that 220,295 spans across the country need repair. It noted that 74,472 actually should be replaced.
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The association logged approximately 222,000 bridges in need of repair in 2024 and more than 76,000 needing replacement.
Of the bridges needing repair, 41,677 are rated in poor condition — down from 42,067 in 2024 — and classified as "structurally deficient," reported ARTBA.
"Motorists cross these structures 163 million times a day," said Alison Premo Black, ARTBA's senior vice president and chief economist.
Premo Black tracked and analyzed the bridge data and found that California was among states that declined in the number of bridges in poor condition:
Iowa, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Nebraska rounded out the top five with the biggest drop in poor-condition spans.
The number of bridges in poor condition rose in North Carolina, New York, Illinois, Oregon and Wisconsin.
"The results help underscore the importance of the federal bridge formula program, which provides $27.5 billion for states through FY 2026," said Premo Black.
As the end of FY 2025 approaches, states have committed $11.7 billion in bridge formula funds or 55 percent of the $21.2 billion currently available.
"These funds are supporting more than 6,000 bridge projects in the construction and repair pipeline," said the economist.
ARTBA's analysis of the 2025 DOT National Bridge Inventory found that 35 percent of all U.S. bridges require major repair work or replacement.
Premo Black said states have received $21.2 billion in the first four years of the 2021 infrastructure law's new $27.5 billion formula bridge program. She noted that to date, states have committed $11.7 billion or 55 percent of these resources to more than 6,000 bridge projects.
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The remaining 45 percent of released bridge funds and the $5.3 billion provided to states in the last year of the bill supports additional improvements.
Thirty-one states have committed at least half of their available bridge formula funds, said Premo Black.
Just eight states and Washington, D.C., have committed less than 33 percent of available funds, as of June 30, 2025.
The DOT's discretionary Bridge Improvement Program (BIP) provides an additional $12.5 billion for projects that will be awarded through 2026.
Under the 2021 IIJA, states have access to $5.3 billion in formula funds each year after set-asides and takedowns from the $5.5 billion apportionment.
The BIP has awarded $7.8 billion for 87 planning, small and large bridge project grants in motr than 40 states.
Premo Black reports that over the past five years, the share of bridges in fair condition has continued to grow. At the same time, the numbers of structures classified as being in "poor" or "good" condition has declined.
"Most bridges are inspected every two years, meaning repairs under way or in the planning stages can take time to be reflected in the NBI data," she said.
ARTBA reported that last year, 50 percent of all bridges in the United States were in fair condition.
Bridges in poor condition represent 6.7 percent of the 2025 U.S. bridge inventory — compared with seven percent in 2021.
Based on average cost data submitted by states to DOT, ARTBA estimates it would cost $467 billion to make all identified repairs, said Premo Black.
The classification is based on the latest inspection, which usually occurs once every 24 months for most bridges, according to the ARTBA bridge report.
"Therefore, state and local governments may be in the process of working on some of these structures to make needed repairs," Premo Black said.
The ARTBA study found that most state rankings stayed the same in 2025, even as improvements have been made.
The states with the most bridges in poor condition, in order, are Iowa, West Virginia, South Dakota, Maine and Puerto Rico.
Beyond those five, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, North Dakota and Michigan rounded out the top 10 list.
ARTBA also noted that 13 states have committed 75 percent or more of their funds to bridge repairs and replacements.
The list is led by Alabama, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia, Idaho, Indiana, North Dakota and Wisconsin.
In a report to members, ARTBA said that while the 2021 infrastructure law provides investment, one in three bridges still need repair or replacement.
"Congress has the opportunity to build on this recent momentum in the next surface transportation reauthorization bill due Sept. 30, 2026," said the association.
Turning Tide in Bridge Construction
"America's bridge infrastructure is entering a defining decade," said Mary Scott Nabers, president and CEO of Strategic Partnerships Inc. "Transportation agencies are advancing high-value replacement projects that blend safety, mobility, freight reliability and multimodal access."
Nabers added that many of the structures now slated for reconstruction were built between 1950 to 1980. She said they were never designed to accommodate today's traffic volumes, vehicle weights or safety standards.
But the bridge sector is seeing a national wave of large-scale investments that present significant opportunities.
It's a great chance, she added, for engineering firms, contractors, materials suppliers and technology providers to take advantage of the construction funding.
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"These projects reflect a shift toward resilient design, expanded capacity, pedestrian and bicycle integration and long-term durability," said Nabers. "With federal BIP dollars flowing, many states are allocating funding matches to support the planning and design phases for future projects."
In fact, numerous solicitations for significant projects will be released over the next 12 to 24 months, she said. That positions this year and next as "pivotal" years for preconstruction engagement.
Notable projects on Nabers' list include replacement of the Rainbow Bridge over Idaho's Payette River.
Valley County officials in Idaho have announced a $54 million project to replace the bridge on State Highway 55.
"The existing bridge is aging, weathered and no longer able to meet Idaho Transportation Department safety standards," said Nabers.
Safety and operational concerns have persisted for years, she added, including inadequate shoulder and lane widths.
Tight curves and vehicle length and weight restrictions also have plagued drivers traversing the bridge.
Officials were weighing three design options for the replacement: a multi spandrel art deco arch, a steel thru arch, or a spandrel braced steel arch.
Construction is not expected to begin until 2028, but early industry positioning will be important as procurement milestones are established.
In Harrisburg, Pa., city officials announced a $1.3 billion bridge project that will replace the aging I-83 Bridge. This construction will be done in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, said Nabers.
"The objective is to improve long-term mobility, reduce congestion and enhance safety along this heavily traveled corridor."
The contract is for replacement of the main bridge with a new structure built to current compliance standards and designed to accommodate future traffic demand.
"Crews will rebuild and improve roadway approaches on both sides of the river to create safer merging areas and smoother traffic movements," said Nabers.
The Virginia DOT's long-range improvement program outlines a $47.7 million replacement project for the I-66 bridge in Fauquier County.
The current structure, built in 1980, no longer meets modern safety standards, said Nabers. It also cannot adequately accommodate regional traffic demands along the I-66 corridor.
So, the existing bridge will be demolished and replaced with a new structure featuring increased load capacity.
"The initiative is intended to extend the service life of this critical crossing and improve reliability for commuters and freight movement," said Nabers.
The project is in the design stage, with solicitation documents scheduled for release in late 2026. Completion is currently targeted for summer 2029.
In Kansas, a new four-lane bridge is planned for Leavenworth County. KDOT plans to replace the existing Centennial Bridge over the Missouri River.
At an estimated cost of $157 million, the project will be designed to deliver a multimodal bridge just north of the existing structure nearing the end of its useful life. Constructing a new structure adjacent to the existing span, KDOT can maintain connectivity during construction as it incorporates existing alignments.
"Once the new bridge is operational, the existing structure will be demolished."
Construction is to begin in early 2027; completion expected for 2029. CEG
