TxDOT official: 'Our bridges are safe'

However, Cox said "structurally deficient" and "functionally obsolete" are terms used by the federal government in determining if the bridges qualify for federal funding for upkeep and repairs. "The federal government has a highway bridge program and if the bridge meets eligibility requirements," said Cox, "it gets funded." He said the bridges are appraised and evaluated and that information then goes into a funding formula for distribution of federal funds. Those deemed "structurally deficient" generally have deteriorated conditions or reduced load-carrying capacity. Those termed "functionally obsolete" generally means they do not meet current design standards. But neither means the bridge is unsafe.

Thursday, the White House released information noting that an inspection two years ago revealed structural deficiencies in the Minnesota bridge that collapsed this week, killing at least four people. The bridge was reportedly rated 50 on a scale of 100 and was rated as "structurally deficient."

But like Cox, even U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said after the bridge collapse that "structurally deficient" does not mean the bridge is unsafe - it just means parts of the bridge need repair or replacement.

However, Secretary Peters Thursday urged all states to immediately inspect any steel deck truss bridges similar to the I-35 bridge that collapsed in Minneapolis. "Even though we don't know what caused this collapse, we want states to immediately and thoroughly examine all similar spans out of an abundance of caution," she said. There are currently 756 of the relatively unique steel deck truss bridges in the United States.

Texas Transportation Commissioner Ted Houghton said some federal transportation money which would have reimbursed TxDOT for repairs to local roads and bridges in Texas is now likely to be part of $250 million in federal emergency spending for the Minneapolis bridge disaster.

Cox would not speculate on the cause of the Minnesota bridge collapse, saying details were too sketchy to make that kind of assessment.

But in Texas, Cox admits, "We have an aging infrastructure." He also points out that there is not enough money available to make all the necessary repairs and replacements. He said it would take "billions, maybe even trillions" to build the infrastructure throughout the state up to acceptable levels.

The TxDOT engineer said if a bridge begins to deteriorate, officials will analyze and assess it and sometimes make recommendations that the bridge be closed, or that its load limit be reduced.

In the wake of the Minnesota bridge collapse, Cox maintains that bridges in Texas are safe for the traveling public if load limits are observed.