A bridge walked into a bar. The bartender said, 'Why the long span?'
A bridge walked into a bar. The bartender said, 'Why the long span?'
Infrastructure Grade
Infrastructure Report Card
14.0% of bridges in poor condition
Total Bridges
787
Poor Condition
110(14.0%)
Avg Bridge Age
55 yrs
Trend
Improving
| Metric | Rhode Island | National Avg | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| % Poor Condition | 14.0% | 6.7% | Improving |
| vs. National Average | +7.3 pts | -- | -- |
| Average Bridge Age | 55 yrs | 48 yrs | -- |
| Good or Better | 328(41.7%) | -- | -- |
Grade Scale
Percentage of bridges in poor condition over time. The dashed line shows the national average for comparison.
Total Bridges
787
Poor Condition
110(14.0%)
Average Age
55 yrs
Daily Crossings
15.9M
Good or Better
328(41.7%)
These bridges have at least one major component rated "5" (Fair) — one step above the poor threshold. Sorted by daily traffic to highlight highest-impact structures at risk.
| Bridge | Location | Deck | Super | Sub | Daily Traffic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-95 NB & SB | Providence County | 6 | 5 | 5 | 153,626 |
| I-95 NB & SB | Providence County | -- | 5 | 6 | 151,500 |
| I-95 N&S & RAMP WS | Providence County | 6 | 5 | 5 | 149,300 |
| I-95 NB & SB | Providence County | 6 | 5 | 5 | 145,445 |
| I-95 NB & SB | Providence County | 6 | 5 | 5 | 144,909 |
| I-95 NB & SB | Providence County | 5 | 6 | 5 | 144,909 |
| I-95 NB & SB | Providence County | 5 | 6 | 6 | 144,909 |
| I-95 NB & SB | Providence County | 6 | 5 | 5 | 126,200 |
| RI 4 NB & SB | Washington County | 6 | 5 | 6 | 63,500 |
| RI 146 ED DOWL HWY | Providence County | -- | 5 | 6 | 58,520 |
| US 6 EB & WB | Providence County | 6 | 5 | 6 | 57,900 |
| RI 4 COL RODMAN HY | Washington County | 7 | 5 | 6 | 56,311 |
| I-95 NB&SB | Providence County | 6 | 5 | 6 | 52,688 |
| AIRPORT CONNECTOR | Kent County | 6 | 5 | 7 | 52,000 |
| I-95 NB | Providence County | 7 | 5 | 5 | 48,250 |
The 10 bridges in poorest condition, ranked by lowest sufficiency rating.
over PAWTUXET RIVER N BRANCH
over BARDEN RESERVOIR
over ABBOTT RUN
over AMTRAK & P&W RR
over WOONASQUATUCKET RIVER
over BUCKS HORN BROOK
over AMTRAK & RAILROAD ST
over NONQUIT POND
over P&W RR
over RI 146 EDDIE DOWLING HWY
States with similar infrastructure profiles, ranked by percentage of bridges in poor condition.
Grading: Grades are based on the percentage of bridges classified as "poor condition." A bridge is in poor condition when at least one major component (deck, superstructure, or substructure) is rated 4 or below on the NBI 0-9 scale.
Data Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Bridge Inventory (NBI). Data is updated annually. BridgeStats is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FHWA.
Watchlist Criteria: Bridges with any component rated "5" (Fair) are one step from the poor threshold of 4 and are flagged for monitoring. These bridges are not yet in poor condition but may deteriorate without maintenance.