Across Metro Detroit an alarming 45 percent of all bridges – 910 of 2025 – are either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. And the condition of Wayne County bridges ranks dead last among the counties with 56 percent of spans in need of immediate repair, according to a statewide analysis released today by the Michigan Infrastructure Transportation Association (MITA).

The study found that statewide more than 28 percent of the state’s 10,831 bridges – 3,055– show troubling signs of age and neglect. The report follows an earlier and equally worrisome analysis that showed 26 percent of state and local roads – or 28,700 of the 110,000 miles of roadways – have deteriorated to the point where they are classified in “poor” condition. That’s roughly equivalent to the distance of seven roundtrips between Detroit and Los Angeles.

“It’s especially disturbing to see we’ve reached the point where our road and bridge system is no longer sustainable – even in Metro Detroit, the heart and soul of the American auto industry,” said Mike Nystrom, executive vice president of MITA. “When the percentage of roads and bridges in tough shape climbs to a level this high, policymakers often have little choice but to repair and replace the failing ones rather than maintain the others before they fail as well.”

The survey – which for the first time includes information on the condition of county and locally controlled bridges – revealed:

Half of the 1,187 bridges maintained by the Michigan Department of Transportation in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Livingston counties are either functionally obsolete – meaning their design is outdated – or structurally deficient, which indicates a bridge has deteriorating beams, a crumbling deck or other problems that could force its closure;

Among locally maintained bridges throughout Metro Detroit, 38 percent –316 of 838 – are in need or maintenance or repair.

Because of declining gas consumption due in part to more fuel-efficient vehicles, gas tax revenues have plummeted by more than $100 million since 1997, the last time the state’s gasoline levy was increased. Gas tax revenues have fallen in each year since 2002. At the same time, revenues from vehicle registration fees that also help pay for roads and bridges have taken a significant hit as tough economic times have forced many motorists to forgo new car purchases.

To underscore the seriousness of the situation, consider that in September – following months of contentious debate – Michigan lawmakers finally came up with a way to scrape together $84 million in state money to secure $475 million in federal matching funds for roads and bridges. Some lawmakers are calling upon Congress to end state matching fund requirements altogether which would allow the state to invest even less in an already-failing road and bridge system.

“Disinvesting in our network of roads and bridges when Michigan is desperately trying to climb out of a deep economic hole is short-sighted public policy,” Nystrom said. “While it’s easy to point fingers and blame road agencies for the poor bridges, the reality is that they’ve been under funded for decades.”

Metro Detroit highlights from the study:

In Wayne County, 63 percent of MDOT bridges (431 of 684) are in poor shape, the highest percentage among the state’s 83 counties. Wayne also had the ninth-highest percentage of local bridges in need of maintenance or repair – 42 percent, or 143 of 342 miles);

Across Oakland County, 165 of 446 bridges are in need of maintenance or repair – the third highest number in the entire state.

Throughout Macomb County, 117 of 399 bridges – the fourth highest number in the state.

In Livingston County, 35 percent of all bridges – 54 of 154 bridges – are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, the 10th highest percentage among the counties.

“Let’s be clear about where we stand : We either find a way to increase funding so we can fix our crumbling infrastructure, or we wait until something tragic happens and scramble to pick up the pieces,” said Nystrom. “We can no longer afford to ignore this worsening situation – the time for action is now.”

Here’s a breakdown of counties with the highest number of state and local bridges in poor condition*:

1. Wayne County has 574 of 1,026 in poor condition;

2. Genesee County has 177 of 370;

3. Oakland County has 165 of 446;

4. Macomb County has 117 of 399; and

5. Kent County 112 of 514

The 2010 bridge data was collected from information in the local bridge report and the MDOT bridge report. Both are available online at www.drivemi.org . The information represents a snapshot in time taken earlier this year and could contain a lag time of a few months between the time a bridge was upgraded or downgraded and when that information was included in official reports.

MITA represents a broad spectrum of highway construction companies and suppliers that help build a better Michigan infrastructure from the bottom up. It has been a leading voice for securing adequate transportation funding at the federal and state levels.

*For the purposes of this analysis, bridges in “poor condition” are those that are rated structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.