Bridge Deck Deterioration

Gao ID: 108871 March 19, 1979

The magnitude of the bridge deck deterioration problem facing the Federal Government and individual states was reviewed. Bridge surface deterioration is a serious problem in 32 states due to the increased use of chlorides to melt ice and snow. Cost-effective systems are available to protect bridges where contamination has not yet reached the corrosion threshold; but, installation has been limited by lack of both Federal and State funds. Proven systems are not available to protect already heavily contaminated decks. Increased or accelerated research efforts are needed to identify cost-effective systems for stopping further deterioration of these bridge decks.



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