States with the lowest percentage of structurally deficient/functionally obsolete bridges include the following: Nevada (4 percent); Arizona (6 percent); Wyoming (12 percent); Minnesota (13 percent); Wisconsin (15 percent); Delaware, Florida (18 percent); and Tennessee (19 percent).

Only four states were able to reduce their deficient bridge population by more than one percentage point during the past year: Kentucky (-2 percent), Michigan (-2 percent), Oklahoma (-2 percent), and Utah (-2 percent).

The complete bridge inventory appeared in the November 2007 issue of Better Roads and is also available at http://betterroads.gcnpublishing.com/content/Issue-Story.45.0.html?&no_cache=1&tx_magissue_pi1[showUid]=967

For a summary of bridge conditions in your state visit: http://obr.gcnpublishing.com/articles/downloads/StateByStateSummary.pdf.

EPA Rule Exempts Mining from Fugitive Dust Emissions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed rule clarifies the mining industry sectors that are required to include “fugitive emissions” in new source review (NSR) modification assessments, according to a National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) report. The rule, published in the Nov. 13 Federal Register, exempts agricultural and mining operations from considering emissions controls for wind-blown dust, if a facility is subject to NSR, according to the report.

The current proposal attempts to revise a 2002 rule that requires all sources to include fugitive air emissions when determining whether physical or operational modifications to processing plants trigger NSR controls, the NSSGA report says.

In general, the EPA has not defined mining operations as major sources of emissions — the proposed rule clarifies that only facilities the EPA has previously listed as “major” sources under the Clean Air Act need to consider whether their modification or construction activities result in emission increases, the NSSGA report notes. Major sources are facilities that emit more than 100 tons of particulate matter per year. The EPA lists 28 source categories in the rulemaking process. Cement plants are included, but mining operations are exempt.

Legislation for Highway Funding Cleared

Congress enacted a $555 billion spending bill Dec. 19 that encompasses federal highway funding for 2008, and President Bush is expected to sign the legislation into public law, according to a legislative update from the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA).