News Release

Oct. 25 , 2007

It's time to keep Iowa moving

AMES, Iowa – Last week the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) celebrated another milestone in the state's road-building history with a commemorative event marking the completion of the I-235 project in the Des Moines metro area. This project was a significant step in modernizing and preserving Iowa 's transportation system. In addition to the I-235 project, many other significant state, county and city road projects throughout Iowa have been completed this construction season.

Looking to next year and beyond, Iowa 's roadway agencies are struggling to identify the funds necessary to meet the state's pressing transportation infrastructure needs. Iowa 's rapidly aging roads and bridges, flattened revenues and rising construction costs are all affecting the condition of Iowa 's transportation systems.

One of the growing concerns for Iowans is finding the funds necessary to replace or rehabilitate our aging bridges and structures. Iowa is fifth in the nation in number of bridges with 24,854 bridges on the state, county and local street systems.

Below is a chart indicating the number of bridges and structures constructed or reconstructed during various periods in Iowa history and their current age, as reported in Iowa 's bridge inventory records.

For information regarding the age of any of the bridges on Iowa 's Primary Highway System, visit: http://www.iowadot.gov/Iowa_bridges.html

Depending on the materials used in their construction, their design type and physical demands placed upon them, the average design-life of a bridge is 50 to 70 years. Approximately 10 percent of all bridges in Iowa are more than 70 years old. Approximately 26 percent of all bridges have exceeded their 50-year service mark.

While some of the older bridges and structures can continue to serve low traffic volumes with proper maintenance and load restrictions, others are becoming increasingly in need of major repair or replacement to meet today's service needs.

When bridges go beyond their life expectancy, f atigue cracking and corrosion become increasing concerns. Older bridges are also commonly considered obsolete in terms of their service capabilities and functionality. Most older bridges in Iowa are not efficiently handling increased traffic demands; are narrow, which creates safety concerns; and have inadequate clearances for today's larger watercraft or commercial vehicles that travel under them.

Much needed work on Iowa 's bridges and structures cannot be completed at current highway funding levels. Considering their present age and condition, as well as the current funding available each year for investing in their repair and replacement, it is projected that the overall condition of the structures in Iowa will further deteriorate in the future.

Fortunately, the DOT, cities, counties, and legislature have been studying this issue for several years. In December 2006, the Iowa DOT filed a report with the Iowa General Assembly describing the condition of Iowa 's aging infrastructure, which led to the passage of the law that established the TIME-21 Fund. However, no funds were appropriated. An interim legislative committee is currently studying ways to raise revenues to support the TIME-21 Fund. This effort is critical to improving the condition of Iowa 's bridges and structures.

For additional information about Iowa 's roadway systems and TIME-21, visit --- iowadot.gov --- and click on the TIME-21 link.

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