Print edition: 
Wichita faced criticism three years ago when, in the wake of the I-35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Minn., The Eagle reported that the city had fallen behind on its bridge inspections. Some of the structures that carried traffic every day hadn't been inspected for five years, despite federal rules that require evaluations every two years.
The out-of-date reports showed that 20 bridges were structurally deficient. That means they were in poor shape, but not necessarily unsafe.
Now the city's inspections are up to date and its bridges overall are in better shape.
Contracted inspectors analyzed the city's 265 bridges late last year.
They found 12 structurally deficient bridges, according to an analysis of the inspections.
That's about 5 percent of city bridges.
Six of those are already under construction or are scheduled for repairs or replacement, city engineers say.
"We don't have a magic number there," said Gary Janzen, chief design engineer. "We'd like to have none, but 5 percent is pretty good for this number of bridges we have."
Bridges under repair
Among dilapidated bridges that are under construction or are scheduled for repair or replacement are:
* Lincoln at Armour: Construction on a new box culvert bridge is slated to begin Sept. 13.
* Broadway at 34th Street South: This is the bridge city officials abruptly shut down three years ago after inspectors noted that cement was crumbling away and that it may not be safe. It has since had minor repairs and has been reduced to two lanes.
A new bridge just west of the old is under design. If the state approves the city's plans, construction would likely start in 2011.
* 15th Street at I-135: Designing has begun but engineers are exploring the idea of making it a pedestrian bridge since it doesn't carry much traffic.
* 31st Street South at Glenn: Construction on a new box culvert bridge has begun.
* Lincoln at McLean: Designs are almost finished. The city hopes construction of a new bridge and dam about 150 feet south of the existing bridge and dam will begin in November.
* Meridian at 35th Street South: Construction is under way.
Bridges in need of repair
Michael Jacobs, the city's special projects engineer, said he and others have visited the remaining six structurally deficient bridges. They don't believe the structures are unsafe or pose imminent problems.
"These bridges are built and last a long time," he said. "You wouldn't want to go out and replace them all at the same time because, in the next generation, they'd all need work at about the same time."
The six structurally deficient bridges that aren't slated for repair or replacement are:
* Hillside north of 37th Street North : It scored a 47 out of 100. The structure is in poor condition.
* Douglas at Linden : It scored almost 49 of 100. The structure is in poor shape.
* Edgemoor at Lexington (just north of Kellogg): It scored nearly 49, and it's in poor physical shape.
* 21st Street at the Derby Refinery : It scored about 43, with low markings for its structural soundness.
* Old Lawrence Road just north of I-235 : The tiny bridge scored a 65, with low marks for the condition of its water channel.
* 10th Street at I-135: It scored 68, with somewhat low marks for the quality of the deck surface.
Janzen said that those bridges aren't a major problem but that the city will continue to inspect them to ensure they're safe.
Chris Carrier, director of public works, said inspections have improved both locally and statewide.
"We're always steady at it trying to do as many of them as we can," he said.
