HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — They are what connect the seven cities — the 1,274 bridges in Hampton Roads.
A recent survey shows that 33 of those bridges are considered to be in poor condition, defined in a recent report from the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization, or HRTPO, as a bridge that needs to be monitored or repaired.
“Even bridges that are deemed to be in poor condition, that doesn’t mean they are not safe,” said Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization Engineer Theresa Brooks.
The numbers are not a surprise, given that half of the bridges in Hampton Roads are nearly 50 years old.
Having 33 bridges rated in poor condition is a celebration for Hampton Roads. Ten years ago, there were 75 bridges rated in poor condition.
Compared to other metropolitan areas similar in size, the percentage of poor condition bridges in Hampton Roads is relatively low.
Transportation officials attribute the positive trend to the State of Good Repair program, which began in 2015.
“With the State of Good Repair program, there is a process that’s involved to help determine which of the bridges have applied for that particular state funding in order to address their maintenance needs,” Brooks said.
She adds that for the 33 bridges currently in poor condition, they will be searching for government funding.
“We did analyze available funding opportunities at the federal, state, regional and local levels,” Brooks said. “There are different grant programs at the federal level and as I mentioned the State of Good Repair program at the federal level as well.”
See below for the 2025 update to the Hampton Roads Regional Bridge Study:
