BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – A recent study commissioned by the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) revealed that 65 percent of the state’s bridges are in fair or poor condition – many of which are in rural areas, and are crucial to agriculture, according to one ISA official.

“This is creating significant challenges for local communities and farmers who rely on these bridges to transport crops like soybeans to market,” Todd Main, ISA director of market development, told Farm World. “Deteriorating bridges risk being closed or restricted, leading to costly detours, longer travel times, and increased transportation expenses for farmers.”

As the nation’s top soybean producers, Illinois farmers rely on strong infrastructure, like bridges, to transport their products to market, the study said. And, with the USDA forecasting a record-setting soybean harvest of 720 million bushels for 2024, “robust infrastructure is crucial to support this increased output,” the study added.

Brady Holst, ISA market development committee chair, said, “Agricultural productivity is also expected to grow by 15-30 percent over the next 20 years, so the need for efficient infrastructure will only become more critical.

“Roads and bridges are the first point of connection between soybean farmers and the market,” he said. “Well-maintained bridges ensure farmers have timely access to processing facilities, grain elevators, and transportation hubs. That’s why ISA commissioned this study: to gain insights into the economic impacts of this vital infrastructure, not just for farmers, but our state as a whole.”

Main said the study, which took one year to complete, continues a multi-year initiative ISA has conducted to call attention to rural infrastructure. The study conducted a cost-benefit analysis for all roadway bridges within Illinois after removing bridges in the Chicago Metropolitan Area and interstate bridges.

The study also analyzed the economic impacts specific to Illinois’ top 13 agricultural-producing counties: Bureau, Champaign, Christian, Henry, Iroquois, LaSalle, Lee, Livingston, McLean, Ogle, Sangamon, Shelby, and Vermillion.

“The analysis found that every dollar invested in bridge repairs provides $3 in benefits in these key agricultural counties, supporting farmers and the local economy,” Main said. “Farmers rely on these bridges to transport their crops to grain elevators and processing facilities.

“Delays or closures can disrupt this vital link in the supply chain,” he added. “The costs to repair the bridges are beyond any one fiscal year budget, so they must be prioritized even with increased funding and repaired over time.”

He said, “The study emphasized that significant investments in bridge repair are essential to ensure continued agricultural productivity and transportation efficiency, ultimately benefiting farmers by reducing costs, and ensuring timely access to markets.”

The study also found that every dollar invested in Illinois bridge maintenance results in $4.97 in benefits for all roadway users. The broader impacts of investing in the maintenance of reliable bridges can include additional employment, labor income and value to the local, regional and state economies.

The study added that bridge investments in Illinois will provide approximately 52,640 jobs, a labor income of $2.83 billion, and an added economic value of $5.63 billion over the next 30 years.

For Illinois’ top 13 agricultural counties, bridge investments will provide approximately 5,979 jobs, $231.9 million in labor income, and $639.8 million in total value added, Holst said.

“Investing in bridges isn’t just a good deal for Illinois farmers, it’s a win for all Illinois citizens,” he said. “The long-term benefits of bridge repair and maintenance are significant economic opportunities for our state.”

The study also underscored the need for continued investment by assessing the condition of Illinois’ 26,873 bridges statewide, and highlighted that 72 percent of bridges in Illinois are owned by local governments, making repair or replacement significantly challenging due to budget constraints.

“If these deteriorating bridges are not repaired or replaced, they will be given weight restrictions or be closed,” Holst said. “If this happens, the resulting detours will increase transportation costs and travel time for farmers and other roadway users, negatively impacting farmers’ livelihoods and the overall health of our state’s economy.”