The U.S. bridge infrastructure is aging, with over 600,000 bridges and 1 in 9 rated as structurally deficient. The average bridge age is 43 years, exceeding the designed lifespan of 50 years, raising safety concerns. Federal, state, and local investments are not keeping up with the growing costs to repair or replace deficient bridges, which is estimated at $76 billion for deficient bridges alone. Opportunities exist for Finnish companies in structural health monitoring systems, sensors, wireless monitoring systems, coatings to prevent corrosion from road salt, and specialized machinery for difficult bridge construction and repair projects.

1. Opportunities in Critical Bridge
Renovation Projects in the U.S.
Consisting of more than 600,000 bridges, the U.S. bridge
infrastructure is aging and in need of repairs – around 1 in 9
bridges are rated structurally deficient. The average age for
bridges in the U.S. is 43 years with the designed life span
planned for 50 years. Many bridges are over 65 years old,
which means that safety concerns are growing. At the same
time, increasing population, congestion and traffic put more and
more pressure on infrastructure.
Federal, state, and local bridge investments are not keeping
pace with the growing costs of aging bridges. The Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) estimates that the cost to
repair or replace only the deficient bridges eligible under the
Federal Highway Bridge Program is almost $76 billion. The
total investment needed to address all bridges - not just the
eligible deficient bridges – is USD 121 billion. USD 20.5 billion
annually is needed to eliminate the deficient bridge backlog by
2028. Current spending is only USD 12.8 billion – a shortfall of
USD 8 billion per year.

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Often, replacement of the old bridges is not an option
because of the capital costs. Shutting down these bridges
to replace them would significantly disrupt traffic. The best
choice is to monitor the development of issues that could
compromise the integrity of the bridge and upgrade where
feasible.
Opportunities for Finnish companies exist especially in the
following areas
• Structural Health Monitoring Systems are starting
to be used more often. Currently, bridges are
inspected visually about once every two years. The
problems with this method are its expensiveness
and subjectivity. Also the need for monitoring can be
more frequent as the breakdown can happen faster.
• Sensors for monitoring strain gauge, vibration,
acoustics, temperature and corrosivity are needed.
• Wireless monitoring systems that collect, transmit
and analyze the data triggering an alarm when
something has changed are needed.
• Ground penetrating radar is being used to analyze
bridge decks.
• Coatings that would prevent corrosion are needed.
Road salt has contributed to the corrosion of steel
and concrete bridges.
• Fiber reinforced polymers are used at smaller bridge
constructions but the cost is prohibiting large-scale
usage.
• Specialized machinery for building and repairing
bridges in problematic areas and situations.
Would you like to discuss this business opportunity further?
Could growth for your company come from the US?
Finpro has long experience of the US markets and
extensive local knowhow. Our experts have wide-ranging
contact networks and can help you in issues related bridge
renovation projects. To seize these business opportunities,
contact us for further information
Kimmo Aura
Area Sales Manager
kimmo.aura(a)finpro.fi
+358 40 5048 317
Leonard La Vardera
Senior Consultant
leonard.lavardera(a)finpro.fi
+1 203 524 2050