bridges
Newsletter
Climate change hastens the deterioration of US bridges
America's aging bridges are increasingly vulnerable as climate change intensifies extreme heat and flooding, causing them to weaken and fail prematurely.
In short:
- Many U.S. bridges, built before 1960, are deteriorating faster due to extreme heat and flooding linked to climate change.
- The Biden administration's infrastructure law provides funding for bridge repair, but experts say it's not enough to fully address the issue.
- Engineers warn that without climate-resilient designs, bridge failures could become more common and disrupt supply chains.
Key quote:
“We have a bridge crisis that is specifically tied to extreme weather events.”
— Paul Chinowsky, professor of civil engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder
Why this matters:
As climate change accelerates, infrastructure designed for milder conditions is increasingly at risk. Without significant investment in climate-resilient construction, the safety and efficiency of transportation networks could be severely compromised.
Related:
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Newsletter
Credit: Pixabay
Extreme heat is damaging America's transportation infrastructure
Record heat in summer 2024 is straining America’s infrastructure, causing issues like stuck bridges and buckling roads, and disrupting transportation systems.
In short:
- The Third Avenue Bridge in New York jammed after metal expansion caused by heat, and roads in Washington and Wisconsin have buckled, disrupting traffic.
- Amtrak and other rail systems face delays due to heat-induced rail expansion, which can cause derailments and safety hazards.
- Engineers are using innovative solutions, including heat-resistant materials and advanced monitoring systems, to address these challenges.
Key quote:
“Like human bodies, infrastructure needs to be maintained from the beginning to reduce costs and increase the potential for effective rehabilitation.”
— Suyun Paul Ham, associate professor of civil engineering, University of Texas at Arlington
Why this matters:
As climate change intensifies, extreme weather events will increasingly threaten aging infrastructure, leading to safety hazards and costly disruptions. Effective engineering solutions and timely maintenance are vital to enhance the resilience of critical transportation networks.
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Newsletter
Climate law a ‘game changer’ for highways and bridges
Through a combination of tax credits and direct funding, the Inflation Reduction Act aims to increase the manufacturing of sustainable materials used in infrastructure projects.
Photo by Bryan Goff on Unsplash
Rural Alaska has a bridge problem
Alaska is warming faster than any other U.S. state, and that’s causing problems, a team of bridge engineers and social scientists explains. The infrastructure bill in Congress would offer some help.
www.nationalobserver.com
Canada needs infrastructure that can handle climate change, report says
Canada should act fast to protect critical infrastructure from climate breakdown by building resiliency into ports, power grids, bridges, and more, the International Institute for Sustainable Development says.
Many states use outdated rainfall predictions when designing roads, bridges and dams
Lack of a current, national rainfall database means some states are using outdated data - some as much as 60 years old - as they design new roads, bridges and dams. That's a dangerous problem as the climate changes.
www.cbc.ca
'A new focus for us': Canada's building code being modernized to address climate change
The next update is due this year and is likely to see the first changes meant to address the country's new climate reality.
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