Missouri’s bridges rated in poor condition are “safe to drive on”

Bridge repairs are needed across the state. A nationwide report ranks Missouri as fourth in the country for having the most structurally deficient bridges.

Assistant State Bridge Engineer, Scott Stottlemeyer, said the term structurally deficient is not used by MODOT. Instead they refer to this condition as a poor rating.

“Any bridge that we have in poor condition we try to program that for replacement or major rehabilitation,” he said.

He said a poor rating does not mean the bridge is too unsafe to use. A bridge is closed if it’s too dangerous for drivers.

“Any bridge that is open is safe to drive on even though it might need repair,” he said.

Stottlemeyer said newly designed bridges are built to last 75 years or more.