Utah's bridges are the best maintained in the nation, according to a recent report issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highways Administration (FHWA).

Utah has the lowest percentage of bridges on the National Highway System (which includes interstates and other key U.S. highways) classified in "poor" condition out of all 50 states. Only 0.1 percent of these bridges in Utah are considered in poor condition based on the condition of the driving surface, support beams, bases and columns.

"UDOT has a proactive approach to maintaining Utah's roads and bridges — we say, ‘good roads cost less,' and our focus is on keeping them in good condition, rather than waiting until major repairs are needed," said Rebecca Nix, UDOT bridge management engineer. "This helps our roads and bridges last longer, makes them safer, and is a more efficient way to utilize taxpayer funds."

Only two National Highway System bridges across the state were in poor condition at the time the data was submitted to FHWA: the southbound I-15 bridge over East Nichols Canyon Road in Cedar City, which was replaced earlier this year, and the I-84 westbound bridge over 4400 South in Riverdale, which is scheduled for replacement in 2025.

The I-80 bridge over 2000 East in Salt Lake City was downgraded to poor condition earlier this year, but its replacement is currently under construction as part of the I-80/I-215 reconstruction in east Salt Lake County.

State-By-State Ranking

Percent deck area of NHS bridges classified in poor condition (in percentages):

Alabama: 0.5

Alaska: 5.8

Arizona: 0.9

Arkansas: 3.5

California: 6.2

Colorado: 3.4

Connecticut: 7.7

Delaware: 2.7

Disctrict of Columbia: 7.5

Florida: 0.5

Georgia: 0.5

Hawaii: 1.9

Idaho: 3.7

Indiana: 2.3

Iowa: 2.4

Kansas: 2.5

Kentucky: 3.8

Louisiana: 5.5

Maine: 7.1

Maryland: 2.5

Michigan: 7.0

Minnesota: 5.8

Mississippi: 2.8

Missouri: 7.1

Montana: 4.7

Nebraska: 2.0

Nevada: 1.0

New Hampshire: 4.3

New Jersey:6.6

New Mexico: 2.4

North Carolina: 2.8

North Dakota: 2.3

Ohio: 2.0

Oklahoma: 0.8

Oregon: 1.1

Pennsylvania:4.4

South Carolina: 4.3

South Dakota: 3.3

Tennessee: 5.0

Texas: 1.1

Utah: 0.1

Vermont: 3.4

Virginia: 3.0

Washington:8.8

Wisconsin: 2.6

Wyoming: 5.2

Today's top stories

NAPA Urges Drivers to 'Watch For Us' During National Work Zone Awareness Week

VDOT Oversees $3.9B Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel Project

Yanmar America Celebrates Global Customer Service Awards

New York City DOT Unveils Plans for Its Queensboro Bridge Pedestrian Upgrades

Terex Utilities Announces Availability of TL45 On Mini Tracked Carrier for Lifting in Restricted Access Job Sites

Nashville's Belmont University Gets $58M Gift From Executive for Music Row Expansion

New England Revolution Soccer Team Wants to Build Its Own Stadium in Everett, Mass.

Thomas Viaduct Railroad Bridge Recognized as National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark