State's Bridges in Bad Shape: Report

The number of state-maintained bridges rated in poor condition has grown over the past decade in Connecticut.

Records reviewed by The Associated Press show that out of nearly 4,000 road bridges maintained by the Department of Transportation, 190 were deemed in poor condition in 2000. That figure grew to 317 by 2010.

Commissioner James Redeker said last month that the bridges are the agency's biggest challenge. Funding is nearly doubling for bridge maintenance.

An overall rating is given to each bridge. If that rating is 4 or less, it is called poor, which does not necessarily mean it's unsafe. That overall rating considers the condition of the bridge's surface, the supports and substructure.

The amount of cash dedicated to cover regular maintenance has been nearly stagnant for the past decade.