ANKENY, Iowa – In the effort to promote more cost-effective approaches to replacing and repairing the nation’s rural bridges without compromising safety, the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) has released a new report that specifically addresses the needs of these aging infrastructures. 

“Our nation’s rural bridges serve as the initial step in a lengthy journey to the ultimate customer,” said Mike Steenhoek, STC executive director. “Unfortunately, the region of the country in which bridge conditions are most severe – rural areas – also happens to be the region in which available funding to improve thes*-e conditions is stagnant or on the decline.

“The concern remains that if this starting line for farmers is not well-maintained, soybeans and grain will not effectively reach the finish line in delivering to our customers,” he added.

Conducted in mid-2020, the report’s research team was comprised of a group of bridge engineers and experts from the 13 states that represented the STC: the Illinois Soybean Assoc., and the Indiana Soybean Alliance, the Iowa Soybean Assoc., the Kansas Soybean Commission, the Kentucky Soybean Board, the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee, 

The group also includes: the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, the Nebraska Soybean Board, the North Dakota Soybean Council, the Ohio Soybean Council, the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, and the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Board.

Steenhoek said three engineers served as principal analysts for the project, with the remaining 10 engineers or experts serving as advisory committee members.

“We wanted someone from each of those states represented,” he told Farm World.

The goal of the principal analysts and advisory committee members was to highlight a relatable number of innovative concepts that will provide initial or lifecycle cost savings; have been validated by a credible engineering entity or organization; and are accessible in a large section of rural America. 

Currently, eight percent of the nation’s rural bridges are rated in poor/structurally deficient condition, with significant deterioration to the major components of the bridge, Steenhoek said. 

“Poor/structurally deficient bridges are often posted for lower weight or closed to traffic, restricting or redirecting large vehicles, including agricultural equipment, commercial trucks, school buses, and emergency services vehicles,” he said. 

“Forty-seven percent of rural bridges are rated fair,” he added. “A fair rating indicates that a bridge’s structural elements are sound, but minor deterioration has occurred to the bridge’s deck, substructure or superstructure. The remaining 45 percent of rural bridges are rated in good condition.”

Given the significance of this need and the limited resources to address it, the report said a potential response by bridge owners is to simply close or restrict access to existing bridges, or hope federal, state, or local government will be willing and able to supply the necessary revenue. 

“While pursuing increased investment is appropriate, and closing or placing restrictions on certain rural bridges may be prudent, increased energy and attention must be devoted to addressing the cost side of the equation and making existing tax dollars stretch further,” the report said.

The report said the innovative concepts for bridge replacement and repair featured in the project are not an exhaustive and comprehensive catalog. Numerous other innovative concepts exist and are worthy of being explored. 

Jonathan Miller, an Island, Ky., soybean farmer, and STC chair, said many of the innovative concepts featured in the report can result in a 50 percent or greater cost savings for rural counties. 

“This can easily result in replacing a bridge for $100,000 to $150,000, compared to the prevailing method of $250,000 to $400,000,” he said. “Farmers understand with their own operations that simply spending our way out of a problem will rarely be successful. 

“We also need to embrace innovative ways to save our way out of a problem,” he added. “This approach that works so well on the farm also applies to maintaining and improving our infrastructure.”

Pat Conner, lead engineer, asset management in Purdue University’s local technical assistance program, said one of the reasons he supported this important project is for the opportunity to partner with soybean farmers in promoting these innovative concepts. 

“Having both engineers – those constructing and maintaining rural bridges and farmers, those utilizing rural bridges, working together on this effort – will create a true win-win outcome,” he said. “We need more of this collaborative approach when tackling the important challenges facing our rural infrastructure.” 

Brian Keierleber, Buchanan County (Iowa) engineer, and president of the National Assoc. of County Engineers, said many of these innovative concepts in the report have already been implemented in certain areas of the country. 

“However, one of the things I’ve learned is that just because a good idea is being practiced in one area, it does not mean it will be practiced in another area,” he said. 

“I am excited that this project has the potential to increase awareness throughout rural America of many of these innovative approaches to replace and repair rural bridges,” he added. “We need to be open to opportunities to get more bang for the taxpayer dollar.” 

Kelly Bengtson, bridge and pavement engineer with the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute at North Dakota State University, said this project benefitted from the participation of a diverse group of thought leaders on the topic of rural infrastructure. 

“Assembling 13 engineers and experts and expecting complete consensus is nearly impossible,” he said. “I have nonetheless been impressed with the broad consensus and enthusiasm among the principal analysts and advisory committee members to shine a spotlight on innovative approaches that will allow states, counties, and municipalities to more effectively maintain and improve their rural bridge inventory.” 

To view the full report, visit: www.soytransportation.org.