MDOT has Concerns about Weight Safety on Bridges

The Steens Creek Bridge in Florence is one of 5,668 bridges on the state maintained system of US and state highways.

MDOT officials say Mississippi Bridges are straining under high volume and heavier loads.
MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

It's been two years since the unexpected 35 west bridge collapse in Minneapolis. That tragedy brought a heightened awareness for bridge inspectors in Mississippi. On the Steens Creek Bridge in Florence, Mississippi Bridge Inspection Manager, Lonny Pigott, does a thorough inspection of the bridge's deck.

“It’s not major but it’s what we’re looking for though”

But he says it's what's underneath the bridge that concerns inspectors the most.

“Pack rust forming there on your pile so you got a little bit of section loss on it.”

In this case Pigott says all that's needed is a coat of paint. But according to Mitch Carr, Bridge Engineer with the Mississippi Department of Transportation, of Mississippi's nearly 6,000 state maintained bridges 330 are classified as structurally deficient. Carr says that does not mean the bridges are not functional but it does however impact commerce.

“When they were first designed those many years ago the trucks that they were designing for were much smaller and carried much less loading. The trucks that we have now a days are much larger and the amount of traffic that’s on those bridges are much heavier.”

MDOT officials are lobbying lawmakers for additional funding such as a gasoline tax increase. Without it Carr says some bridges may have to close because of safety concerns.

“That has not happened yet on the state maintained system. It’s a huge problem for the local systems because they usually deal more with the school buses. And if you have bridges that are posted for very low loads then school buses can’t go cross those bridges and they can’t go get the school children.”

Pigott says he was disappointed that the amount of stimulus money earmarked for bridges wasn't nearly enough to make all of the needed corrections. For MPB News, I'm Lawayne Childrey.