Highway Bridge Program Clearer Goals And Performance Measures Needed For A More Focused And Sustainable Program

Highway Bridge Program: Clearer Goals and Performance Measures Needed for a More Focused and Sustainable Program

The Aug. 1, 2007, collapse of a Minnesota bridge raised nationwide questions about bridge safety and the U.S. Dept. of Transportation¿s prioritization of bridge resources. The Highway Bridge Program (HBP), the primary source of fed. funding for bridges, provided over $4 billion to states in FY 2007. This testimony addresses: (1) how states use HBP funds and select bridge projects for funding; (2) what data indicate about bridge conditions and the HBP¿s impact; and (3) the extent to which the HBP aligns with fed. laws and regulations for re-examining surface transportation programs. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables.

Highway Bridge Program

The Aug. 1, 2007, collapse of a Minnesota bridge raised nationwide questions about bridge safety and the Dept. of Transportation¿s ability to prioritize resources for bridges. The Highway Bridge Program (HBP), the primary source of fed. funding for bridges, provided over $4 billion to states in FY 2007. This study examines: (1) how the HBP addresses bridge conditions; (2) how states use HBP funds and select bridge projects for funding; (3) what data indicates about bridge conditions and the HBP¿s impact; and (4) the extent to which the HBP aligns with generally accepted principles, and fed. laws and regulations, for re-examining surface transportation programs. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables.

Oversight of the Highway Bridge Program and the National Bridge Inspection Program