Bridge Infrastructure: Matching the Resources to the Need
RCED-91-167
Published: Jul 22, 1991. Publicly Released: Aug 23, 1991.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO compared the Department of Transportation's (DOT) current methodology for determining bridge needs with a level-of-service approach, focusing on: (1) which methods proved more useful for assessing the nation's bridge needs; and (2) the DOT reauthorization proposal to use a new methodology for identifying deficient bridges eligible for federal funding.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| As Congress considers reauthorization of the federal-aid highway program for fiscal year (FY) 1992 to FY 1996, and how to ensure the most effective use of federal bridge funds, Congress may wish to consider targeting federal bridge funds to those highway systems with the most critically deficient bridges on the basis of the level-of-service analysis discussed in this report. | Recommended action was included in the Senate Reauthorization bill but not in the House bill. Conference committee and final legislation passed in December 1991 did not contain GAO recommended actions. | |
| Congress may wish to consider requiring the Secretary of Transportation to update the GAO analysis in future biannual reports on the condition of the nation's highways and bridges. This information will indicate progress made in addressing bridge deficiencies by highway system and help Congress to target bridges during reauthorization periods beyond FY 1996. | Recommended action was included in the Senate Reauthorization bill but not in the House bill. Conference committee and final legislation passed in December 1991 did not contain GAO recommended actions. |
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Topics
BridgesComparative analysisCost analysisEvaluation methodsFederal aid for highwaysFederal fundsHighway planningPublic roads or highwaysInflationTransportation