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Florida's Bridges Stand Strong Compared to States Nationally

Florida ranks among the lowest for percentage of bridges considered structurally deficient, according to a recent report.

The Associated Press analysis of about 600,000 bridges in the federal National Bridge Inventory showed a little more than 65,000 bridges are classified as "structurally deficient."

Twenty-seven North Florida bridges are in that category.

A bridge achieves a "structurally deficient" status when the state department believes a bridge should undergo a series of repairs or replacement within the next six years.

Underwater bridge inspections also take place and are performed by consultants and in-house teams. The senior diver is a certified commercial diver and a certified bridge inspector.

The complete list of structurally deficient bridges in the state of Florida can be found on the Department of Transportation website.

Gina Busscher, regional public information officer for the State Department of Transportation, said bridge structures are constantly being evaluated.

"All of the bridges we have concerns about have repairs scheduled," she said.

Busscher said some bridges have been scheduled for replacement depending on how structurally unsound bridges were reported.

Taryn is a reporter for WUFT News who may be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news @wuft.org