Report: Repairing U.S. bridges would cost $140 billion

Story Highlights

• Group says almost one in four bridges structurally deficient or needs fix or widening
  
• Report: Average age of bridges is 43 years; most designed to last 50 years
  
• Report notes country's bridges are safe, but calls for investment
  
• Funding issues prevent states from keeping "bridges sound indefinitely," report says
  

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- It would cost at least $140 billion to repair all the nation's bridges if work began immediately, a nationwide safety organization said in a comprehensive report Monday.

The price tag will rise if the repairs are delayed, the group said.

"States simply cannot keep up with bridge maintenance," the report warns, adding that 73 percent of U.S. road traffic -- and 90 percent of truck traffic -- travels over state-owned bridges.