UDOT to monitor bridges infrastructure report found in poor condition
Apr 15, 2021, 2:42 PM
The Utah Department of Transportation reported it would be closely monitoring more than 60 bridges after an infrastructure report from the White House found them in poor condition. (Photo courtesy: UDOT)
(Photo courtesy: UDOT)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) reported it would be closely monitoring more than 60 bridges after an infrastructure report from the White House found them in poor condition. The same report found that over 2,000 miles of highway are due for repairs.
The report graded Utah with a C-plus in terms of its overall infrastructure — a seemingly average result, but actually tied as the highest in the nation. The lowest grade went to the territory of Puerto Rico, which received a D-minus.
UDOT spokesperson John Gleason said the department routinely checks its infrastructure, noting the 62 bridges listed are not safety concerns. Rather, they are slated for repair or replacement within the next few years.
“We have a very active bridge management program where we actually go out and physically inspect each of our bridges in the state at least once every two years,” Gleason told KSL NewsRadio. “If there’s any concern at all where we would need to act immediately, we would definitely do that.”
According to the report, commute times in Utah have increased by 7.2% since 2011. As a result, each Utahn pays an average $709 per year because of driving on roads that require repairs.
