Politics & Government

Obama's 'Fix it First' Program Highlights Failing Bridges in U.S., Area

Find out which bridges in the Des Plaines area are labeled as "structurally deficient."

 

President Barack Obama proposed Tuesday night a "Fix It First" program to address the nation's crumbling infrastructure—like roads and bridges—in an effort to improve citizens' quality of life and bring jobs to the United States.

There are nearly 70,000 "structurally deficient" bridges throughout the United States that require "significant maintenance, rehabilitation or replacement," according to the Transportation for America website. 

Find out what's happening in Des Plaineswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In Illinois, 8.5 percent of the state's bridges are "structurally deficient." The state is ranked 35th worst nationally for the overall quality of its bridges, according to the Transportation for America website. 

Locally, there are a handful of bridges that are highlighted as structurally deficient on the Transportation for America website. The good news is that many of the more heavily traveled bridges that fit that criteria have been fixed or will be fixed soon, according to information gathered by Patch.com. 

Find out what's happening in Des Plaineswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Below is information on some of those bridges and culverts: 

  • The Potter Road bridge crossing a creek in Des Plaines. The structure was built in 1931 and about 17,000 cars travel over it per day.
  • The Rand Road bridge crossing the Des Plaines River in Des Plaines. This bridge was built in 1928 with 28,400 cars crossing it per day.

Tell us in the comments' section: Which bridges and roads do you think NEED to be fixed in the area? 


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