How Many Bridges Collapse Each Year in the U.S.?

U.S. Bridge Collapses: A Sobering Statistic

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 182 bridges collapsed in the United States in 2019, resulting in nine fatalities.

Context and Caveats

• Definition: "Collapse" includes total or partial structural failure requiring closure, from minor deck failures to catastrophic falls.
• Causes: Vehicle/boat impact (overheight trucks, barge strikes), scour (flood erosion of foundations), overload, deterioration (corrosion, fatigue), construction errors, earthquakes.
• Trend: Annual numbers fluctuate (typically 100–200). The 2022 FHWA report noted 120 collapses in 2021.
• Inventory: ~617,000 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory (NBI). ~42% are ≥50 years old; ~7.5% rated "poor" (structurally deficient).
• Investment Gap: ASCE estimates a $125 billion backlog for bridge rehabilitation.

Notable Recent Collapses

• 2024: Francis Scott Key Bridge (Baltimore) – ship strike.
• 2022: Fern Hollow Bridge (Pittsburgh) – corrosion/fatigue.
• 2007: I-35W Mississippi River Bridge (Minneapolis) – gusset plate failure (13 dead).

While collapses are rare relative to the total inventory, each highlights the critical need for sustained inspection, maintenance, and replacement funding.