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More than 300 Maryland bridges labeled deficient, state wants to fix more than 1,600

Posted at 8:46 AM, Feb 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-16 08:46:51-05

A new report by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association states 55,000 bridges across the nation need rehabilitation.

In Maryland that number is 1,620, which would cost $2 billion. The bridges identified were labeled deficient, obsolete or posted for load.

If a bridge is deficient, it has deterioration or other problems. Obsolete means the structure is not up to today's design standards, and posted for load means there are weight and size restrictions for vehicles crossing the bridge.

Maryland ranks 39th nationally for number of structurally deficient bridges, and 36th based on percentage of deficient bridges.

Some of the bridges, like the Interstate 695 overpass above Millford Mill Road, has been under construction since 2014, according to Maryland State Highway Administration. The update is set to be completed by Spring of 2017.

The oldest bridge on the list, is Pulaski Highway over Herring Run, it was originally built in 1921.

None of these bridges are in immediate danger of collapse.