San Antonio Bridges Set for Major Overhaul with $115 Million Federal Funding

San Antonio Bridges Set for Major Overhaul with Federal Funding

Big news for San Antonio! The Federal Highway Administration is putting some serious cash into fixing up bridges across the nation, and our lovely city isn’t missing out. In early October, they announced a whopping $115 million specifically earmarked for bridge repair and replacement right here in Texas. That’s a lot of dough to help keep our roadways safe!

What’s the Deal with Bridge Ratings?

So, how do we know which bridges are getting a makeover? Enter the Bridge Formula Program. This program is managed by state-run agencies like the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), which inspects and rates every bridge on Texas roads. Bridges are given a rating of good, fair, or poor depending on the condition of their major components.

If a bridge is in fantastic shape, it gets a good rating. However, if just one part is showing signs of wear and tear, it slides down to fair or poor based on how serious the issues are. And here’s the scoop: bridges that are rated as poor can snag funding for a complete replacement! Meanwhile, those needing a little TLC get funding for rehabilitation, and healthy bridges can receive cash for preservation to keep them in tip-top shape for a long time.

Bridge Breakdown in San Antonio

Now, let’s talk numbers. In the San Antonio metro area, we’ve got around 3,660 bridges scattered across rivers, roads, and rails. The good news is that over half of them, roughly 56%, are rated as good. However, that still leaves nearly 1,540 bridges eligible for repair and replacement funding. Among these, we have 17 bridges in poor condition that have caught TxDOT’s eye.

As part of a larger plan, TxDOT has identified almost 1,500 bridges across Texas that need work over the next decade. And out of those, 51 bridges are located right here in the San Antonio area, meaning we have a mix of old and maybe even a few new bridges set for repairs.

Inspections and Safety Standards

Speaking of safety, any bridge that is open for traffic has been deemed safe for use—don’t worry too much! Most bridges are inspected every two years, but if the bridge is under 20 feet, it gets a little more time with a four-year inspection requirement. Older bridges and those in poor condition get checked out way more often, sometimes even every six months. This is crucial since bridges tend to age, and while age doesn’t always equal bad condition, it surely warrants extra attention.

The Process of Prioritizing Repairs

TxDOT has its work cut out when deciding which projects will receive those sweet federal dollars. They consider various factors, including those all-important condition ratings. However, ratings are just part of the puzzle. As TxDOT spokesman Julien Devereux noted, “the condition ratings play a factor… but it’s one of many that we use to prioritize funding.”

While we’ve got 17 bridges rated as poor, not all will see funding in the upcoming decade—at least not immediately. Devereux reminded us that, “The nearly 1,500 bridges marked for future construction dollars are subject to annual review.”

Beyond Texas, Nationwide Funding

Fun fact: The Bridge Formula Program was created by Congress in 2021 as part of a broader investment in transportation. It’s impressive how dedicated funding for bridge maintenance has become a standard practice. It all started way back in 1967 after a tragic bridge collapse in West Virginia that claimed the lives of 46 people. Since then, regulations on bridge inspections have tightened big time.

Funding at the Local Level

Here in Bexar County, the local funding comes from vehicle registration fees, gas sales taxes, and bonds for bridge projects. Since 2016, TxDOT has announced investing over $184 million into ≤75 bridge projects throughout Bexar County. That’s quite a chunk of change, and there are still 63 projects in progress!

All in all, our bridges are getting some much-needed attention and funding, helping make San Antonio’s roadways safer for everyone. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for smooth sailing—and driving—ahead!