TRENTON – Gov. Jon S. Corzine today released the following directive calling on the state Department of Transportation to prepare a report describing the safety status of all bridges in the state.

The directive was sent to Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri on Aug. 2.

The directive states:

Recognizing the tragic events last night in Minneapolis, Minn. this morning I am calling on the New Jersey Department of Transportation to prepare a report describing the safety status of all bridges in the State. This report is to include bridges owned and operated by the State, New Jersey Transit, State and bi-state authorities, counties, municipalities, and orphan bridges.

I direct the Department to provide to me within 7 days an inventory of all bridges, including ownership, date of most recent inspection and identification of those classified as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.

Within the next 45 days, I direct you to outline the current bridge capital investment strategy and identify the necessary resources to replace or repair any bridge within the jurisdiction of the Department, New Jersey Transit, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, the South Jersey Transportation Authority or other public entities, to the extent permitted by current law, found to be structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.

These steps are necessary to provide a safe transportation system for every New Jersey resident and those traveling through our State.