1 in 9 bridges in Mass need work

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - One in nine bridges in Massachusetts are deteriorating to some degree.

A new study from Transportation for America, a group out of Washington DC shows that Massachusetts ranks 25th nationally in terms of overall bridge conditions.

In 2008 Massachusetts received $188 million on federal funds for bridge repair, but only spent 17% or $70 million of available dollars.

That's better than the national average of 13%.

Tim Brennan, Executive Director of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission says the state plugged $3 Billion dollars into bridges after the collapse in Minneapolis a few years ago, but the work is expensive.

"I was staggered myself to learn that out of the $3 billion special fund for bridges that half of that money was for five bridges," said Brennan.

He says the state is getting better and tackling troubled bridges.

He says that the number of bridges marked as structurally deficient dropped by 1% in the last 5 years.

He says the structurally deficient means a bridge is on the most watched list, and that it's judged by age and other factors to put it on the priority list.

To see a list and location of structurally deficient bridges in your area click here .

Hampden county has 46 bridges on the list, Hampshire has 29, Berkshire has 42, and Franklin County was the worst with 52.

Brennan says the Federal Transportation law which funds these repairs has expired, leaving a funding battle for U.S. Lawmakers later this Spring.

Some Western Massachusetts residents are worried that money may not come.

"The problem is with all the deficits that Uncle Sam has got they're going to have problems rectifying the issue," said N. Leon Charkoudian.