SW Iowa Times

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced the official start of the Bridge Replacement, Rehabilitation, Preservation, Protection and Construction Program, also called the Bridge Formula Program, in a Jan. 14 press release.

Iowa will be receiving at least $431.8 million over the next five years as part of this new bridge program established under President Joe Biden's bipartisan infrastructure act, according to a release from the office of Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA).

"The $432 million Iowa is getting for bridges from our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will not only create good-paying Iowa jobs but also support local economies by ensuring goods can get to market and workers have safe commutes to their jobs & families," Axne said on Twitter.

Federal Highway Administration data reported that Iowa currently contains more bridges in poor condition than any other state, totaling 4,571.

Of these bridges, 348 are now closed and classified as hazardous, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation's annual bridge report for 2021.

"Iowa bridges are in poor condition so this is badly needed investment Iowans must safely travel/get products 2market,” Sen.Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said on Twitter.

Additionally, roughly half of the county highway system's substandard bridges transport less than 35 vehicles per day.

“This is the largest investment in bridges since the interstate highways were built,” Biden said on Twitter. "It’s going to create a lot of jobs and connect a lot of communities."

The Bridge Formula Program is projected to aid in the renovation of roughly 15,000 roadway bridges across the U.S.