A new study by a road builders group claims that more than 3,000 of the state’s bridges get poor safety ratings.

The Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association says that 28 percent of Michigan’s nearly 11,000 bridges are either structurally deficient or otherwise outdated. Spokesman Mike Nystrom says the state must find a way to pay for new bridges. “When the percentage of roads and bridges in tough shape climbs to a level this high, policymakers have little choice but to repair and replace the failing ones rather than maintain the others before they fail as well,” says Nystrom.

Of the bridges the group says are in need of repair more than 1300 fall under the Michigan Department of Transportation’s oversight, the rest are under the eye of local governments.

http://wwj.cbslocal.com/2010/10/28/bad-bridges-in-mi/