The Baltimore collapse focused attention on vital bridges. Thousands are in poor shape across the US

After a yearlong closure, a bridge over the Puyallup River reopened in 2019 with a sturdy new span and a brand new name. It even won a national award.

But today, the Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge is closed again after federal officials raised concerns about a vintage section of the nearly century-old bridge that carried about 15,000 vehicles a day. It has no timetable to reopen because the city of Tacoma, Washington, first must raise millions of dollars to clean and inspect it.

“It’s frustrating — and hard to comprehend how we got here,” said Ed Wallace, whose Harley-Davidson motorcycle store has lost customers since the nearby bridge was shuttered.

Bridges fulfill a vital function that often goes overlooked until lives are lost or disrupted by a closure or collapse, like that of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday. That bridge crumpled when struck by a cargo ship, not because of poor maintenance. But thousands of others stand in worse shape.

About 42,400 U.S. bridges are in poor condition, yet they carry about 167 million vehicles each day, according to the federal government. Four-fifths of them have problems with the legs holding them up or the arms supporting their load. And more than 15,800 of those bridges also were in poor shape a decade ago, according to an Associated Press analysis.

One of those persistently poor bridges — carrying about 96,000 westbound vehicles daily on Interstate 195 over the Seekonk River in Rhode Island — was suddenly shut to traffic late last year, resulting in long delays as drivers diverted to new routes. In March, the governor announced that the bridge must be demolished and replaced. That could cost up to $300 million and take at least two years to complete.

These closures illustrate a nationwide issue.

“We have not maintained our infrastructure at the rate that we should for many, many years, and now we’re trying to play catch-up,” said Marsia Geldert-Murphey, president of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

When an old bridge gets closed because of safety concerns, it disrupts daily commutes, business supply chains and emergency response times by police, firefighters and medical personnel. Yet many bridges still await replacement or repairs because the costs can reach millions or even billions of dollars.

A massive infrastructure law signed by President Joe Biden in 2021 directed $40 billion to bridges over five years — the largest dedicated bridge investment since construction of the interstate highway system, which began nearly 70 years ago.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that law already is funding over 7,800 bridge projects. One of the most notable is a $3.6 billion project in Cincinnati to build a long-awaited new bridge carrying traffic on Interstates 71 and 75 over the Ohio River at the Kentucky border.

But funding from the infrastructure law will make only a dent in an estimated $319 billion of needed bridge repairs nationwide, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association.

“The bottom line is that America’s bridges need a lot of work,” Buttigieg told the AP after visiting the closed Rhode Island bridge. He added: “The sooner we can address those significant bridges, the less likely they will be abruptly taken out of service, or worse, experience the risk of a collapse.”

Inspectors rate bridges using a 0-9 scale, with 7 or above considered "good." A “poor” rating reflects a 4 or below. A mid-range rating is considered “fair.” The nation’s poor bridges are on average 70 years old.

Even before the federal funding infusion, the number of bridges in poor condition declined 22% over the past decade as structures were repaired, replaced or permanently closed, according to the AP's analysis. But in recent years, more bridges also slipped from good to fair condition.

Though potholes on bridges can jar cars, many of the most concerning problems are below the surface. Chipping concrete and rusting steel can weaken the piers and beams that keep a bridge upright. When the condition of substructures or superstructures deteriorates too much, a bridge typically is closed out of public safety concerns.

Though rare, bad bridges can eventually collapse.

Design flaws contributed to the evening rush hour collapse of an Interstate 35 bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis in 2007. The collapse killed 13 people and injured 145 others. It also was costly financially. A state analysis estimated Minnesota’s economy lost $60 million in 2007-2008 due to increased travel time and operating costs for commuters and businesses.

In January 2022, a bridge carrying a bus and several cars collapsed over Fern Hollow Creek in Pittsburgh, causing injuries but no deaths. Federal investigators determined the steel legs had corroded to the point of having visible holes, yet inspectors failed to calculate the severity of the problem and the city failed to follow repeated recommendations.

“This bridge didn’t collapse just by an act of God. It collapsed because of a lack of maintenance and repair,” National Transportation Safety Board member Michael Graham said.

Iowa has the most poor bridges, followed by Pennsylvania, Illinois and Missouri. The twin Burlington Street bridges in Iowa City, Iowa, exemplify the financial challenges facing old bridges. The state owns the southbound span carrying vehicles over the Iowa River while the city owns the northbound span of what's also known as state Highway 1.

The city’s part, constructed in 1915, was rated in poor condition in the 2023 and 2013 National Bridge Inventory. Inspection reports show numerous cracks and structural deficiencies in the concrete bridge. The state’s side, built in 1968, is in much better condition.

Although the federal infrastructure law provided a grant to analyze the bridges, the split ownership has made it difficult to fund the more than $30 million estimated cost of a replacement.

“It’s not something we can just fund in a year and say: ‘Here we go, let’s do it quick,’” said city engineer Jason Havel. “It takes years of planning, years of working through dedicated funding.”

In Rhode Island, problems had been mounting for the I-195 Washington Bridge connecting Providence to East Providence. It closed after an engineer in December noticed the failure of multiple steel tie rods in concrete beams at two piers. A subsequent examination found widespread structural problems.

Joseph McHugh, an engineer with 40 years of experience in bridge and road construction, reviewed a draft engineering report compiled after the bridge's closure along with inspection reports from July 2022 and July 2023.

“This failure didn’t occur overnight,” McHugh told the AP. “To me, it should have been caught by an inspection, not by a contractor or whomever was looking at what was going on.”

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating allegations that false payment claims for the bridge's construction, inspection or repair were submitted to the federal government.

Marco Pacheco, who owns a liquor store along a main road in a Portuguese neighborhood of East Providence, said he believes “mismanagement,” “negligence” and “incompetence” caused the closure. His business revenue is down 20% since the bridge closed. But he's even more concerned about the long-term consequences.

“That traffic doesn’t instantly come back. Folks have reshaped their patterns, their thought processes and so on,” Pacheco said.

Business owners in Washington share similar concerns about the indefinite closure of the Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge, in an industrial area near the Port of Tacoma. Several years ago, the city spent $42 million to replace a span leading up to the river. But the bridge was abruptly closed again last October after the Federal Highway Administration raised concerns that debris had prevented the inspection of potentially corroded steel connection points.

To clean and inspect the bridge, the city first must encapsulate it to protect debris from falling into the river. But the city lacks the more than $6 million needed for the project. It also has no means of paying for a potential $280 million replacement.

A nearby Interstate 5 bridge provides a good alternative but that means many motorists zoom right past an exit ramp without thinking about the Harley-Davidson store or other nearby businesses. At least one shop already has closed.

Wallace, the Harley-Davidson store owner, wishes the city could re-open the bridge, at least temporarily.

“Is there a peril that exists?” Wallace asks rhetorically. "Yeah, absolutely, a very serious one for me as a business owner.”

Associated Press data reporter Kavish Harjai contributed. Harjai is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

A sign notes that an AirGas location has relocated is shown Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Fife, Wash. The nearby Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge has been closed indefinitely since October 2023 after the Federal Highway Administration raised safety concerns, causing businesses to face a downturn in customers. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Big Truck Service owner Brandon Bauer, who says he has seen business drop by a third since the indefinite closure of the nearby Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge, poses for a portrait Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Fife, Wash. The bridge has been closed since October 2023 after the Federal Highway Administration raised safety concerns, causing nearby business owners to notice a decrease in customers as drivers bypass their street. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Destination Harley-Davidson owner Ed Wallace, who says his location has had a loss of sales in merchandise and motorcycles since the nearby Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge closed last year, poses for a portrait Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. The bridge has been closed indefinitely since October 2023 after the Federal Highway Administration raised safety concerns, straining businesses as traffic bypasses their street. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Lube tech Robert Schreiber services a truck at Big Truck Service, which has seen business drop by a third since the indefinite closure of the nearby Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge, poses for a portrait Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Fife, Wash. The bridge has been closed since October 2023 after the Federal Highway Administration raised safety concerns, causing nearby business owners to notice a decrease in customers as drivers bypass their street. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

The Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge, which has been closed indefinitely since October 2023 after the Federal Highway Administration raised safety concerns, is shown Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. Nearby business owners say they have noticed a decrease in customers as traffic has slowed on their street due to the closure. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Big Truck Service owner Brandon Bauer, who says he has seen business drop by a third since the indefinite closure of the nearby Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge, does an oil change on a truck Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Fife, Wash. The bridge has been closed since October 2023 after the Federal Highway Administration raised safety concerns, causing nearby business owners to notice a decrease in customers as drivers bypass their street. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Destination Harley-Davidson owner Ed Wallace, who says his location has had a loss of sales in merchandise and motorcycles since the nearby Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge closed last year, poses for a portrait Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. The bridge has been closed indefinitely since October 2023 after the Federal Highway Administration raised safety concerns, straining businesses as traffic bypasses their street. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Destination Harley-Davidson employee Richard Russell, left, helps a customer, March 26, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. The nearby Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge has been closed indefinitely since October 2023 after the Federal Highway Administration raised safety concerns, straining businesses as traffic bypasses their street. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

The Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge, which has been closed indefinitely since October 2023 after the Federal Highway Administration raised safety concerns, is shown Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. Nearby business owners say they have noticed a decrease in customers as traffic has slowed on their street due to the closure. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Steven Costa, center, owner and chef at Rosa's Tavern, gathers with other local business owners impacted by the closing of the Washington Bridge, due to failure of some bridge components, Friday, March 8, 2024, in East Providence, R.I. The closure of a section of the bridge, and onramps, has caused a significant loss to the group's revenue. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Rhode Island Department of Transportation workers replace a sign leading to the onramp to the Washington Bridge, Friday, March 8, 2024, in East Providence, R.I. The closure of a section of the bridge, and onramps, due to failure of some bridge components, has caused a significant loss to local businesses. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Marco Pacheco, left, owner of Jordan's Liquors and John Oliver, owner of The Local sports bar, pose at the closed onramp leading to the Washington Bridge, near their businesses, Friday, March 8, 2024, in East Providence, R.I. The closure of a section of the bridge, and onramps, due to failure of some bridge components, has caused a significant loss to local businesses. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Diverted traffic, including an ambulance on a call, passes a closed portion of the Washington Bridge, Friday, March 8, 2024, in East Providence, R.I. The closure of a section of the bridge, and onramps, due to failure of some bridge components, has caused a significant loss to local businesses. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Rust stains are seen through the concrete of the understructure of the Washington Bridge, Friday, March 8, 2024, in East Providence, R.I. The closure of a section of the bridge, and onramps, due to failure of some bridge components, has caused a significant loss to local businesses. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Vehicles drives on the Burlington Street Bridge in Iowa City, Iowa Wednesday, on March 6, 2024. The twin Burlington Street bridges in Iowa City, Iowa, exemplify the financial challenges facing old bridges. The state owns the southbound span carrying vehicles over the Iowa River while the city owns the northbound span of what's also known as state Highway 1. (AP Photo/Ryan J. Foley

Vehicles drives on the Burlington Street Bridge in Iowa City, Iowa Wednesday, on March 6, 2024. The twin Burlington Street bridges in Iowa City, Iowa, exemplify the financial challenges facing old bridges. The state owns the southbound span carrying vehicles over the Iowa River while the city owns the northbound span of what's also known as state Highway 1. (AP Photo/Ryan J. Foley

Vehicles drives on the Burlington Street Bridge in Iowa City, Iowa Wednesday, on March 6, 2024. The twin Burlington Street bridges in Iowa City, Iowa, exemplify the financial challenges facing old bridges. The state owns the southbound span carrying vehicles over the Iowa River while the city owns the northbound span of what's also known as state Highway 1. (AP Photo/Ryan J. Foley

Vehicles drives on the Burlington Street Bridge in Iowa City, Iowa Wednesday, on March 6, 2024. The twin Burlington Street bridges in Iowa City, Iowa, exemplify the financial challenges facing old bridges. The state owns the southbound span carrying vehicles over the Iowa River while the city owns the northbound span of what's also known as state Highway 1. (AP Photo/Ryan J. Foley

The Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge, which has been closed indefinitely since October 2023 after the Federal Highway Administration raised safety concerns, is shown Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. Nearby business owners say they have noticed a decrease in customers as traffic has slowed on their street due to the closure. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

The Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge, which has been closed indefinitely since October 2023 after the Federal Highway Administration raised safety concerns, is shown Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. Nearby business owners say they have noticed a decrease in customers as traffic has slowed on their street due to the closure. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

The underside of the Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge, which has been closed indefinitely since October 2023 after the Federal Highway Administration raised safety concerns, is shown Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. Nearby business owners say they have noticed a decrease in customers as traffic has slowed on their street due to the closure. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

The Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge, which has been closed indefinitely since October 2023 after the Federal Highway Administration raised safety concerns, is shown Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. Nearby business owners say they have noticed a decrease in customers as traffic has slowed on their street due to the closure. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

WASHINGTON (AP) — A former FBI informant is set to plead guilty on Monday to lying about a phony bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden and his son Hunter that became central to the Republican impeachment inquiry in Congress.

Alexander Smirnov is expected to make the plea in Los Angeles to a felony charge in connection with the bogus story, along with a tax evasion charge stemming from a separate indictment accusing him of concealing millions of dollars of income, according to court papers.

Smirnov has been behind bars since his arrest in February on charges that he told his FBI handler that executives from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma had paid President Biden and Hunter Biden $5 million each around 2015.

Prosecutors and the defense have agreed to recommend a sentence of between four and six years in prison, according to the plea agreement.

Smirnov had been an informant for more than a decade when he made the explosive allegations about the Bidens in June 2020, after “expressing bias” about Joe Biden as a presidential candidate, prosecutors said.

But Smirnov had only routine business dealings with Burisma starting in 2017, according to court documents. An FBI field office investigated the allegations and recommended the case be closed in August 2020, according to charging documents.

No evidence has emerged that Joe Biden acted corruptly or accepted bribes as president or in his previous office as vice president.

While Smirnov’s identity wasn’t publicly known before the indictment, his claims played a major part in the Republican effort in Congress to investigate the president and his family, and helped spark a House impeachment inquiry into Biden. Before Smirnov's arrest, Republicans had demanded the FBI release the unredacted form documenting the unverified allegations, though they acknowledged they couldn’t confirm if they were true.

During a September 2023 conversation with investigators, Smirnov also claimed the Russians probably had recordings of Hunter Biden because a hotel in Ukraine’s capital where he had stayed was “wired” and under their control — information he said was passed along to him by four high-level Russian officials.

But Hunter Biden had never traveled to Ukraine, according to Smirnov's indictment.

Smirnov claimed to have contacts with Russian intelligence-affiliated officials, and told authorities after his arrest this year that “officials associated with Russian intelligence were involved in passing a story” about Hunter Biden.

The case against Smirnov was brought by special counsel David Weiss, who also prosecuted Hunter Biden on gun and tax charges. Hunter Biden was supposed to be sentenced this month after being convicted at a trial in the gun case and pleading guilty to federal charges in the tax case. But he was pardoned this month by his father, who said he believed “raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.”

In this courtroom sketch, defendant Alexander Smirnov speaks in Federal court in Los Angeles, Feb. 26, 2024. (William T. Robles via AP)

FILE - Former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, left, walks out of his lawyer's office in downtown Las Vegas after being released from federal custody Feb. 20, 2024. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP, File)