By Todd Main, ISA Director of Market Development

Bridges are more than just physical structures connecting two points. Especially in rural Illinois, they are vital pieces of transportation infrastructure that enable commerce, support public safety, and link communities to opportunity. Moreover, they are vital to the task of transporting soybeans to market.

Working with the Chicago office of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms, we commissioned a study by WSP’s transportation planners and economists specializing in transportation infrastructure. The study, one of several over the past few years, helped us secure a better view of the conditions and importance of bridges in Illinois. The project also includes a roadmap for securing greater efficiency for public investment in bridges as well as pinpointing the clear rationale for continued upgrades to the state’s bridge infrastructure.

According to Adam Miliszewski, WSP’s Lead Transportation Planner, by prioritizing maintenance and upgrades, the state can ensure that its bridges continue to support not only the agricultural industry but also the broader economy.

“With agriculture at the heart of Illinois’ economic identity, the results of our work endorse ISA’s position that investing in bridges is just good policy,” Miliszewski said. “It’s also a necessity to keep bridges operational, reliable and capable of meeting the demands of a thriving agricultural sector.”

Agriculture, and soybean production in particular, play vital roles in our state’s overall economy. The rural communities that form the heart of Illinois also depend on a robust infrastructure to move goods, support local industries and maintain a high quality of life. Yet one of the most critical components of this infrastructure—our network of rural bridges—is facing a moment of truth, and the stakes are high.

The results of WSP’s work show a clear connection between bridge infrastructure and local economies. Nowhere is that effect more visible than in Illinois’ agricultural regions. The latest study shows that investing in our bridge infrastructure is not only necessary but also highly beneficial—economically, socially, and environmentally.

A Vital Infrastructure at Risk
Illinois’ transportation network consists of nearly 27,000 bridges, many of which are aging and in desperate need of repair. For this study, WSP examined noninterstate bridges and those outside the Chicago metropolitan area. Their analysis also examined bridges for the top 13 agriculture-producing counties as well as bridges that will reach the end of their useful life benchmark within the next 16 years in all counties.

The bridges included in the study cross rivers, streams, ditches, railroads, and other roadways. They are vitally important to the economy of communities statewide. According to the study, the average age of bridges in Illinois is 45 years old. The oldest bridge is 161 years old, located in Bureau County, while the oldest that still allows truck traffic is 151 years old, located in Grundy County.

In fact, the study found that 65 percent of Illinois’ bridges are rated in fair or poor condition, with 12 percent classified as poor. These aren’t just numbers; they represent real risks to our communities. When a bridge deteriorates to the point of requiring weight restrictions or closures, it disrupts the flow of goods, delays emergency response times and creates safety hazards for all road users.

The agricultural sector is particularly vulnerable to these disruptions. During peak harvest season, soybean farmers rely on an efficient network of roads and bridges to transport crops to market. Any delay, even a small one, can mean significant financial losses, especially when transportation costs increase because of detours or restricted routes. For example, according to the study, a single bridge closure can add miles to a truck’s route, leading to increased fuel costs and delayed deliveries. In agriculture, time is quite literally money.

The Economic Payoff of Bridge Investments
The WSP study didn’t just highlight the risks. It also provided a detailed analysis of the economic benefits of investing in bridge infrastructure. The study focused on three categories of bridges and the benefit-to-cost ratios for each.

When researchers examined bridges in all counties, the benefit for each dollar invested in bridges totaled to $4.97. To put that into perspective, this means that a $1 million investment in bridges generates nearly $5 million in economic returns. For bridges in the top 13 agricultural counties, the benefit for every dollar invested was $3. That shows these investments are important in regions where agriculture plays a dominant role. For bridges nearing the end of their useful life, the return on investment was even higher, at $3.59. These numbers make it abundantly clear that investing in our rural bridges is not just a matter of public safety—it’s also a sound economic strategy.

What are these economic returns, exactly? According to the study, they come in the form of job creation, increased labor income and overall contributions to the state’s GDP. Over a 30-year period, statewide investment in bridge infrastructure is projected to create approximately 52,640 jobs (direct, indirect, and induced), generating $2.83 billion in labor income and contributing a staggering $5.63 billion in added value to the state’s economy.

In the 13 agricultural counties alone, 5,979 jobs (direct, indirect and induced) would be created, with $231.9 million in labor income and $639.8 million in added economic value. For bridges approaching the end of their useful life within 16 years, the investment would generate 3,006 jobs, $161.8 million in labor income and $321.7 million in value added.

These figures represent more than just dollars and cents—they reflect the livelihoods of thousands of workers, the stability of local economies and the future of Illinois’ agricultural industry. Without adequate infrastructure, the state’s farmers and agribusinesses will face rising costs, reduced competitiveness and shrinking markets. The ripple effects will be felt across the state in both rural and urban communities.

The Safety and Environmental Imperatives
Although the economic benefits of bridge investment are significant, we cannot overlook the human and safety aspects of this issue. The WSP study stated that as bridges deteriorate, the likelihood of closures and emergency repairs increases. This could lead to longer travel routes and more fuel consumption for residents and businesses alike. This not only raises transportation costs but also contributes to higher emissions, exacerbating environmental concerns.

Additionally, deteriorating bridges pose serious safety risks and can greatly increase emergency response times in rural Illinois. When bridges are closed or restricted, ambulances, fire trucks and police vehicles might be forced to take longer routes, delaying life-saving responses. In rural areas, where the distance between communities is already substantial, these delays can mean the difference between life and death. Investing in bridges is an investment in public safety, plain and simple.

Bridge Life Expectancy: Why Timing Matters
One of the key metrics in the study was the “remaining useful life” of bridges. The study focused on bridges expected to reach the end of their useful life within the next 16 years, aligning with government reporting cycles that occur every four years. This 16-year benchmark is critical because it gives policymakers and local governments a timeline to prioritize repairs and replacements before critical failures occur.

If we fail to invest in these bridges now, the costs will only rise in the future. Emergency repairs are far more expensive than planned maintenance, and the longer we wait, the greater the risk that more bridges will reach the point of closure or catastrophic failure. Proactive investment is not just more cost-effective, it’s essential for avoiding a crisis.

The Potential of Bridge Bundling
One of the most promising strategies for maximizing the efficiency of bridge investments is a concept known as “bridge bundling.” This approach, analyzed by previous WSP research, involves grouping multiple bridge projects together for repair or replacement. By bundling projects, local governments can achieve economies of scale when purchasing materials in bulk and through more efficient project management.

Bridge bundling has been successfully implemented in other states and could prove to be an ideal strategy to help government agencies in Illinois increase the efficiency of bridge investments. By bundling bridge projects, WSP has concluded, Illinois could stretch its limited infrastructure dollars further, allowing more bridges to be repaired or replaced at a lower cost. This is particularly important given that 72 percent of the state’s bridges fall under local control. Counties with municipalities and townships often struggle to find the necessary funding.

The Road Ahead: Why Action Is Needed Now
The findings of WSP’s analysis make it clear that the time to invest in Illinois’ bridge infrastructure is now. The economic benefits are substantial, the safety risks are real, and the environmental advantages are undeniable. But perhaps most importantly, investing in our bridges is an investment in the Illinois agriculture industry and the communities that depend on it.

For more information about Illinois Soybean Association and its initiatives, visit ilsoy.org.

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Key Statistics: Illinois Bridges at a Glance

1. Total Number of Bridges: Illinois has 26,873 bridges, the second-largest number in the U.S., with 64 percent of bridges statewide in fair or worse condition.
2. Economic Impact: A statewide investment in bridge rehabilitation has a Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of 4.97, meaning for every dollar invested, $4.97 in value will be returned.
3. Bridge Ownership: 71 percent of Illinois bridges are under the jurisdiction of local governments, with townships responsible for 47 percent of these bridges statewide. That places a heavy financial burden on local entities.
4. Job Creation: The bridge rehabilitation investment is estimated to support 52,640 job-years, with direct, indirect and induced employment impacts across the state.
5. Freight Cost Savings: The investment will save approximately $8.8 billion in truck travel time and vehicle operating costs over a 30-year period. That will benefit industries such as agriculture that rely heavily on freight movement.