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Maryland

Maryland Bridges Rated Poor Have Increased

The number of state-owned bridges in poor condition rose to 24 in 2026 amid shifting infrastructure priorities.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Transportation

Isometric editorial illustration of a concrete bridge span over a waterway, symbolizing infrastructure maintenance and structural conditions.
Maryland state officials reported an increase in the number of state-owned bridges rated in poor condition, rising to 24 in 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Maryland officials reported that the number of state-owned bridges rated poor grew from 20 to 24 over the last year. This increase comes as the state balances competing budget demands between transit and roadway maintenance.

Why it matters

The rise in deteriorating bridges underscores the financial strain on the state's transportation infrastructure. Officials are navigating revenue shortfalls, rising material costs, and inflation while managing limited funding across transit and highway systems.

The current system preservation program budget is $685 million, representing a $190 million decrease compared to the plan from three years ago. Meanwhile, State Highway Administration funding fell by $43 million as capital funding for the Maryland Transit Administration increased by $174 million.

The players

Maryland Transit Administration

This state agency is responsible for operating and maintaining public transit services throughout Maryland.

State Highway Administration

This agency manages the construction, maintenance, and operation of state highways and bridge infrastructure.

The details

While five bridges deteriorated into the poor category during 2025, only one was addressed by maintenance crews. Officials remain tasked with allocating finite transportation revenue across a network that includes 240 poor-rated structures when combining state, county, and municipal ownership.

Timeline

  1. 2005: The state reported 143 poor-rated bridges.

  2. 2025: Maryland had 20 poor-rated bridges.

  3. 2026: The number of state-owned poor-rated bridges grew to 24.

  4. 2027: Six bridges are currently scheduled for construction advertisement.

Market Landscape

The reallocation of funds reflects a broader trend of state agencies struggling to maintain legacy infrastructure while expanding public transit commitments. This shift highlights a widening gap between available capital and the rising costs of modernizing aging roadway networks.

Residents may see delays in local infrastructure projects as the state prioritizes transit and high-traffic roadway spending. Drivers should monitor for specific maintenance closures on major routes as the state balances its limited preservation budget.

The takeaway

Maintaining 2,574 bridges requires consistent capital investment that remains vulnerable to inflation and shifting political priorities. Travelers should remain alert to road conditions as the state works to address its remaining inventory of aging infrastructure.

Further reading

For more information on state infrastructure, visit the Maryland Transportation section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WBFF.

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Should your state prioritize road and bridge maintenance over public transit funding?