A new report on bridge deficiency across the nation ranks Tennessee 21st. The American Road & Transportation Builders Association study shows over 55,000 bridges in the U.S. have been deemed deficient. In Tennessee, out of the 20,123 bridges, five percent are considered deficient, according to the report. Bridges labeled structurally deficient aren’t necessarily in immediate danger of collapse. The term is applied when spans need rehabilitation or replacement because at least one major component has advanced deterioration or other problems. The state has been steadily improving down through the years. In 2015, the state had around 1026 bridges considered structurally deficient. In 2016, they had 998 bridges considered structurally deficient.