FDOT releases bridge inspection information
FROM STAFF REPORTS Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

The Florida Department of Transportation recently reversed its earlier decision to withhold all information about the structural integrity of the state's bridges.

During a meeting in Tallahassee with Senator Don Gaetz (R-Niceville), Assistant Secretary Kevin Thibault agreed to provide summary information regarding the structural health and deficiencies of all 11,000 bridges inspected by the DOT.

Gaetz had objected to the Department's earlier refusal to provide information and urged that the public be informed about the integrity of the bridges they use. The Senator acknowledged that some engineering details should be kept confidential so that terrorists or other criminal elements would not have sensitive information that might compromise security.

The reports available today show that of the 6,300 bridges operated and maintained by DOT, 56 are structurally deficient. Of the approximately 5,000 additional bridges owned by local governments or independent authorities but inspected by DOT, 217 are deficient.

For more information call 1- 866-450-4DON toll free.