April 2025 – Feelbatleader in plug and play monitored solutions for the real-time monitoring of buildings, structures, and natural hazards, publishes an analysis on the critical state of infrastructure and warns of the growing risks in the region.
In France, a third of bridges already require repairs, and 7% show serious damage that could lead to preventive closures or collapses. This worrying observation, based on public and territorial data, reveals significant disparities between regions. Some areas, particularly in the former Languedoc-Roussillon, display alarming rates of degradation.
A fragile heritage: the key national figures
France has nearly 312,000 bridges with a span of more than 2 metres, including:
- 266,000 road bridges, mainly managed by local authorities,
- 46,000 bridges relevant to the rail network, including 35,000 rail bridges and 11,000 road bridges,
- A hundred canal bridges.
According to the senatorial report of 2019 and the regional data consulted by Feelbat:
- 1 bridge out of 3 already shows signs of weakness requiring repairs.
- 7% of bridges have concerning structural damage.
The most affected regions: current situation
➡️ Eastern Pyrenees (2017)
3,000 bridges recorded. 75% require specialised or repair work. One of the most at-risk departments.
➡️ Aude (2016)
Of the 2,700 bridges, 45% require specialised work or repairs, and 35% need routine maintenance. Only 20% are in good condition.
➡️ Hérault (2016)
3,300 bridges, but only 20% are considered to be in good condition. 60% require routine maintenance, and 20% need more extensive interventions.
➡️ Lozère (2018)
2,000 bridges. 27% in poor or very poor condition, compared to only 27% in good or very good condition.
➡️ Gard (2017)
3,200 bridges. A slightly more controlled situation: less than 1% require emergency work, 20% need to be repaired without urgency.
Real risks to security and territories
These figures reflect a deep structural problem: low visibility on the condition of the works, lack of real-time data, and interventions that are often too late.
“Bridges do not collapse without warning. They send signals. The real problem is that we do not listen to them,” explains [Name], founder of Feelbat. “In 2024, we can no longer settle for diagnostics every 10 years. We need to move to continuous, connected, preventive monitoring.”
Feelbat: prevent rather than repair
By installing smart sensors directly on structures, Feelbat enables local authorities and managers to monitor in real-time the movements, stresses, and signs of weakness in their infrastructures. The aim: to anticipate risks, plan interventions, and prevent disasters.
An alert, but also a call to action
Feelbat calls on local authorities, departments, and metropolitan areas to better monitor their infrastructure, deploy connected tools, and share data at the regional level.
“The question is not whether a bridge will fall, but when – if we continue to pilot blindly.”
About Feelbat
Founded in July 2020 in Saint-Denis (97490), following the collapse of buildings in the city of Marseille, Feelbat aims to democratise the monitoring of structures through innovative plug & play solutions. Through connected sensors, a mobile application, and a web platform, Feelbat provides professionals with the ability to easily monitor essential data such as cracks, tilt movements, and humidity in their structures. To learn more about the DELTA X-P or to request a demonstration, visit www.feelbat.fr