The collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in March 2024 was the consequence of a long-standing problem: the fragility of aging infrastructure. As reconstruction gets underway on an estimated four-year timeline, the disaster reflects the urgent need for better bridge inspection nationwide.

The U.S. is home to more than 600,000 bridges, many of which have supported heavy traffic for decades. While steel is renowned for its strength, constant exposure to the elements leads to corrosion, gradually weakening structural integrity and increasing public safety risk.

More than 200,000 U.S. bridges require major repairs, and 46,000 are classified as structurally deficient, according to a 2024 ARTBA report. The repair backlog alone is estimated at $125 billion, highlighting just how critical efficient inspection is. Yet traditional methods are increasingly falling short.

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