With more bridges than any city in the world, Pittsburgh is looking forward to putting federal infrastructure funds to work on critical repairs. In fact, bridges across Pennsylvania are overdue for attention: they received a D-from the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Three Rivers
As Reuters explains, Pittsburgh, is located at the confluence of three major rivers. That’s why it has 732 bridges within its city limits—more than any other city in the world. About 4% of them are in poor condition. Consider, for example, the Fern Hollow Bridge which recently collapsed, injuring ten people and setting off a gas leak as a bus and cars fell 100 feet. The incident, as Construction Dive explains, underscored the importance of the infrastructure efforts at hand: “44,000 bridges across the country are in ‘poor’ condition, per the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 2021 National Inventory, and approximately 3,353 of these bridges are located in Pennsylvania, the second-most of any state…Across the U.S., $26.5 billion in funding from the infrastructure act has been earmarked for fixing the nation’s bridges.”
Pennsylvania is slated to receive about $1.6 billion toward bridge repair across the state. As critical public projects get going in Pennsylvania and across the country, builders are leveraging The Partnership Account for Contractors® from Colonial Surety. Here’s why: We give qualified contractors an edge. As a direct underwriter of bonds based on the strength of financial statements, we give builders power of attorney to issue their own bid bonds. Plus, we provide a rich array of complimentary services, including: direct access to performance and payment bonds on a customized dashboard; real time tracking of bids and work on hand—and immediate access to Colonial’s lead underwriter as new opportunities emerge.
Speed and service? It’s true. Complete the brief pre-qualification for your written surety-line of credit and The Partnership Account® services today—and receive, for free, Dun & Bradstreet scores. Pre-Qualify and Get Free Scores Here.
Important to Know?
171.5 million vehicles cross our nation’s 45,000 “structurally deficient” bridges— each day. However, the American Road and Transportation Builders Association estimates that many more—79,500—need to be replaced, and 220,000 require repair. As federal funding for bridge repair gets flowing, cities and states across the country have plans at the ready. Consider for example, the Brent Spence Bridge which connects Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky over the Ohio River. Described as “functionally obsolete” since the 1990s, badly needed maintenance work is underway while plans are in the works for a larger, adjacent bridge. In Washington D.C., the 65 year old Lane Pace pedestrian bridge had been deemed in poor condition and failed to meet height requirements—and then collapsed. Pedestrians and bikers pursue dangerous treks as planners debate replacement plans estimated at $25 million.
Across the country, contractors are gearing up for public contracts and The Partnership Account® from Colonial Surety. In addition to a surety line of credit—in writing, The Partnership Account® gives qualified construction companies:
- Control of bidding and bonding, online and in real time.
- Powers of attorney to seal and issue their own bid bonds—in minutes.
- Fast, direct, confidential bid bonds—no middleman.
- Direct access to performance and payment bonds on a customized dashboard.
- Real time tracking of bids and work on hand.
- Immediate access to Colonial’s lead underwriter as new opportunities emerge.
- A private Owner’s Dashboard to view surety lines, adjust work and analyze bids.
Learn more and pre-qualify for a Partnership Account® now!
Founded in 1930, Colonial Surety Company is a leading direct seller and writer of surety bonds and insurance products across the USA. Colonial is rated “A Excellent” by A.M. Best Company and U.S. Treasury listed.