expects Utah to double its population over the next 45 years.21 Agencies across the state have invested in the roads and bridges through Utah’s Unified Transportation Plan to support the road renovations that are necessary to aid the expanding population and economy with a plan that spans from 2019 to 2050.22 This plan addresses the additional traffic congestion and higher peak traffic flow that will occur in the future unless roadway repairs and expansions occur, in addition to the bridge repairs and replacements needed to keep traffic flowing as bridges age. According to January 2022 data from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory and the U.S. Department of Transportation, approximately 62 bridges,23 which is approximately 2% of the more than 3000 bridges in Utah,2 are classified as structurally deficient. A structural deficiency means that at least one of the key structural elements in the bridge is in poor or worse condition and needs to be repaired. Utah has also identified an additional 66 bridges that need repairs. The estimated cost to repair all 128 bridges is over $87 million.2 The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is scheduled to provide “$110 billion in funding going to roads, bridges and other major ground transportation projects” across the nation, with $40 billion earmarked as funding for bridge construction, maintenance and repair via the newly established Bridge Investment Program.24 The Act will use a formula to ensure that bridges and highways in every state will receive the necessary funding for replacement or repair and permit states to apply for additional funding via the competitive grants. Based on that formula, Utah could expect “approximately $2.6 billion over five years” in highway and bridge formula funding, which is roughly “33% more than the yearly current Federal-aid formula funding” for Utah.23 The additional infrastructure funding should lead to a boom in the repair and construction of roads, highways and bridges. Although summer will likely remain the season of road work due to asphalt requirements, accelerated bridge construction allows bridges to be replaced in a short time with weekend closures instead of months of construction delays and changed traffic patterns for the traveling public. Christina R. Garrett, P.E., is a civil engineer who enjoys designing buildings and working on bridges with Michael Baker International in Midvale, Utah. She received her B.S. in Civil Engineering from Oregon State University and her M.S. in Structural Engineering from the University of California, San Diego. Christina is a licensed professional engineer in Utah, California and Oregon. Photograph 9. Construction of 1700 East bridge over I-80. Photo: Logan Julander, Michael Baker International. 42
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