Mapping the nation's 600,000 bridges reveals a remarkably fine-grained map of…the nation.
"In his 2016 budget, President Obama proposed a one-time tax on foreign earnings in order to fund a $478 billion program to upgrade the nation's roads, bridges, railroads and more. As policymakers debate the merits of the proposal in coming months, it helps to visualize what exactly we're talking about when we talk about the nation's infrastructure," writes Christopher Ingraham.
To create a resource to aid in that visualization, Wonkblog used data from the Federal Highway Administration's National Bridge Inventory and mapped every bridge in the United States longer than 20 feet.
Ingraham adds more language helpful in setting a political context for the mapping exercise: "The map illustrates the ubiquity of America's [sic] bridges -- it's basically impossible to go for a drive in any densely-populated area and not cross one. But each of those bridges -- all 600,000 of them -- need to be maintained. This maintenance costs money. And some states and localities do a better job of it than others."
FULL STORY: A surprisingly accurate map of the U.S. made with 600,000 bridges — and nothing else
Protecting Bridges From Ship Collisions
A civil engineer outlines the federal regulations and mechanisms aimed at preventing the damage and loss of life seen in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
Minnesota-Wisconsin Bridge Awarded $1B in Federal Funding
An important link between Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Canada is due for an upgrade.
Connecticut Approves $1.1 Billion in Transit Funding
The state bond funding unlocks up to $2.5 billion in federal transportation funds.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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