SHREVEPORT (AP) — A federation of consumer advocacy groups federal data show Louisiana has more than 1,800 bridges that need repairs.

The United States Public Interest Research Group analyzed Federal Highway Administration data.

The Times (http://bit.ly/1bhMG4a ) reports that the group found 1,837 structurally deficient bridges out of nearly 13,000 total.

The report comes as Louisiana grapples with a $12 billion backlog in deferred road and bridge maintenance.

And state and federal gas taxes, which provide money for transportation infrastructure, are flat and failing to keep up with inflation.

State Sen. Robert Adley says Louisiana has a history of spending money on interstates instead of paying to maintain existing roadways and bridges. He and other legislators are trying to figure out how to get money diverted to other areas back for bridges and roads.

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