States Address Aging Bridges

What’s happening: Bridges continue to be a focus for some state highway programs, with over 27,000 structures being repaired or replaced using federal dollars, according to ARTBA analysis of federal data.  States are able to leverage their core highway program funds, discretionary grants, and the new bridge formula program to support these investments.

How it works: Under this new bridge formula program, states now have access to the full $26.5 billion available over the five-year period. Unlike the core highway program, agencies have four years to commit these funds toward eligible projects. As of December 2025, states have committed $15 billion towards over 7,350 projects, nearly 57 percent of available funds. And, as projects get underway, states have been reimbursed for $8.5 billion in work completed.

Which states are making progress: Thirteen states have committed 75 percent or more of their funds, led by: Alabama, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia, Idaho, Indiana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Major projects receiving bridge formula funds include: the New Bedford Bridge Replacement (Massachusetts); replacement of one of the two I-270 bridges over the Mississippi River (Illinois); the Haverhill-Methuen Bridge Replacement (Massachusetts); the Port Allen Canal Bridge Replacement (Louisiana); and the Route 23 Bridge over the Pequannock River (New Jersey).

What’s next: While the 2021 infrastructure law provides long-overdue investment, one in three bridges still need repair or replacement. Congress has the opportunity to build on this recent momentum in the next surface transportation reauthorization bill due Sept. 30.

For more information on how states are using their federal aid highway funds, visit the ARTBA Highway Dashboard.