Leading the nation in soybean production, Illinois farmers rely on strong infrastructure, like bridges, to transport their products to market. And, with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasting a record-setting soybean harvest of 720 million bushels for 2024, robust infrastructure is crucial to support this increased output. Agricultural productivity is also expected to grow by 15-30% over the next 20 years, so the need for efficient infrastructure will only become more critical. Recognizing this, the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) recently commissioned a study evaluating the economic impact of maintaining reliable bridge infrastructure in Illinois.
“Roads and bridges are the first point of connection between soybean farmers and the market,” said ISA Market Development Committee Chair Brady Holst. “Well-maintained bridges ensure farmers have timely access to processing facilities, grain elevators and transportation hubs. That’s why ISA commissioned this study to gain insights into the economic impacts of this vital infrastructure, not just for farmers, but our state as a whole.”
The ISA study conducted a cost-benefit analysis for all roadway bridges within the State of Illinois after removing bridges in the Chicago Metropolitan Area and interstate bridges. The study also analyzed the economic impacts specific to Illinois’ top 13 agricultural-producing counties, including Bureau, Champaign, Christian, Henry, Iroquois, LaSalle, Lee, Livingston, McLean, Ogle, Sangamon, Shelby and Vermillion.
A major takeaway of the study is that every dollar invested in Illinois bridge maintenance results in $4.97 in benefits for all roadway users. For the top 13 agricultural counties, specifically, every dollar invested in bridge maintenance results in $3.00 in benefits for all users.
The broader impacts of investing in the maintenance of reliable bridges can include additional employment, labor income and value to the local, regional and state economies. According to the ISA study, bridge investments in the State of Illinois will provide approximately 52,640 jobs, a labor income of $2.83 billion, and an added economic value of $5.63 billion over the next 30 years. For Illinois’ top 13 agricultural counties, bridge investments will provide approximately 5,979 jobs, $231.9 million in labor income and $639.8 million in total value added.
“Investing in bridges isn’t just a good deal for Illinois farmers, it’s a win for all Illinois citizens,” said Holst. “The long-term benefits of bridge repair and maintenance are significant economic opportunities for our state.”
The ISA study also underscored the need for continued investment by assessing the condition of Illinois’ 26,873 bridges statewide. Alarmingly, many of Illinois’ bridges are in a state of disrepair, posing significant risks. In fact,
65% of bridges statewide are in fair or poor condition. The study also highlighted that 72% of bridges in Illinois are owned by local governments, making repair or replacement significantly challenging due to budget constraints.
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