Finland faces surge in poorly maintained bridges, Central Finland most affected

The number of poorly maintained road bridges and ramp intersections in Finland is on the rise. According to the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, the number of deficient bridges has increased by several hundred over the past five years. There are over 15,000 bridges nationwide, with 860 classified as in poor condition, marking an increase of approximately 85 percent over the past decade.

In Central Finland, the situation is even more pronounced; the number of poorly maintained bridges has surged to 3.5 times compared to 2013. The region is home to about 1,000 bridges. Jari Mikkonen, head of the bridge engineering unit at the Central Finland ELY Centre, states that the region sees an annual increase of around ten deficient bridges. Currently, there are about 80 in Central Finland, but this number is expected to surpass 100 within a couple of years.

Mikkonen also notes a decline in the number of bridges in good condition. Despite the tight public budget, essential repairs are consistently managed on time, as all bridges in Finland are inspected every five years. “This allows for the identification of structures that require immediate attention,” he explains. However, with current repair rates, the situation is unlikely to improve, as the number of deficient bridges is expected to rise. Many bridges are transitioning from good to satisfactory condition, which means they will eventually require repairs. “The number of bridges in satisfactory condition is increasing significantly, predicting a greater demand for repairs in the future,” Mikkonen concludes.