Inspectors rate bridges using a 0-9 scale, with 7 or above considered \u201cgood.\u201d A \u201cpoor\u201d rating reflects a 4 or below on any portion of a bridge\u2019s main components. A mid-range rating is considered \u201cfair.\u201d <\/p>\n

When bridges close or collapse, there are financial consequences. <\/p>\n

This story has been corrected to show the bridge that collapsed in Baltimore is on Interstate 695, not 895.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The rapid collapse of a Baltimore bridge that was struck by large cargo ship highlighted the importance that bridges play in the daily lives of many Americans. Six construction workers who were on the bridge are presumed dead. The drivers of more than 30,000 vehicles that crossed the bridge daily must find a new route […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":5488,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[79],"tags":[1423,3075,1715,53,2008,2053,73,2003,372,1966,1982,2005,2048],"yoast_head":"\n