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A bridge generally has a useful life of 60-70 years before deterioration or obsolescence requires that <br />the bridge be replaced. A deficient bridge is defined as one that is structurally deficient or functionally <br />obsolete, with at least one of the following characteristics: 1) limited load carrying capacity due to <br /> <br />deteriorated structural <br />elements, 2) dangerously <br />narrow, 3) too low a <br />clearance for some <br />vehicles to safely pass <br />under, and 4) inadequate <br />protection from high <br />water, and 5) inadequate <br />approach roadway <br />geometry. <br /> <br /> Figure 19 <br /> Age of Minnesota's MSA and City Bridges 10 ft and O~er by Decade <br /> Constructed <br /> <br />300 <br /> <br />Maturing bridges <br />requiring greater <br />maintenance and <br />rehabilitation <br /> <br />25O <br /> <br /> ~ 200 <br />Figure 19 shows the -'~ 150 <br />number of the state's city m <br /> ~, 100 <br />bridge inventory by the <br /> 50 <br />decade in which a bridge I 0 <br />was constructed. As the <br />figure indicates, there is <br />an impending "wave" of <br />aging and larger bridges <br />that are coming to the <br />end of their anticipated life cycle. <br />demands on the system continue to increase. <br />volumes than they have in the past. <br /> <br /> useful life, reconstruction necessary <br />...... <br /> <br />Moreover, in addition to the aging of the bridge infrastructure, <br /> Bridges are supporting heavier loads and higher traffic <br /> <br />The network of highways and city streets located in Minnesota cities are facing increasing demands as <br />the number of system users and the intensity of system usage both increase. The inability of. <br />Minnesota cities' to meet the increasing demands on their road and bridge infrastructure is taking its <br />toll on the condition of roadway infrastructure. As a result, policy makers in large and small <br />Minnesota cities are finding it more and more difficult to address a wide variety of public policy <br />objectives that all rely on sound transportation systems. For example, the potential for economic <br />expansion is stifled as transportation dependent companies find it more and more difficult to move <br />people and goods. Quality of life factors are compromised as people spend more time sitting in their <br />vehicles and less time at more productive activities. <br /> <br />20 <br /> <br /> <br />