NACo News Watch

Analysis: Disparity Exists in Condition of Local vs. State Bridges
Governing magazine reports: An analysis of 2012 FHA inspection data showed the disparity in bridge conditions to be widespread:

•About 15 percent of all bridges local governments own in the U.S. are structurally deficient, compared to 7 percent for states.

•Of states with at least 1,000 locally-owned bridges, only Colorado has a higher share of structurally deficient state than locally-owned bridges.

•Counties are responsible for more than half of the nation’s nearly 67,000 structurally-deficient bridges.

The disparity in bridge conditions largely hinges on funding, said Bob Fogel, senior legislative director for the National Association of Counties.

Local governments typically lean heavily on real estate taxes for general fund revenues. Smaller or rural counties don’t have expansive enough tax bases to pay for upgrades. And urban localities often need permission to levy taxes funding transportation projects from both state governments and taxpayers – a major hurdle.

A smaller share of bridge funding trickles down from states and the federal government, varying greatly from system to system. Michigan, for example, distributes a portion of gas tax revenues to cities and counties, some of which is set aside for its Local Bridge Program. Other states also share fuel or motor vehicles taxes with localities, but even this added money doesn’t begin to cover all the costs.

“Our members feel the federal government and most state departments of transportation don’t provide county governments with the share of funds generated by gas taxes that are reflective of the condition of bridges owned by counties,” NACO’s Fogel said.