Understanding Oregon’s Bridge Inspection Documentation

1. Understanding Oregon’s Bridge Inspection Documentation Edited from 2007 presentation by: Timothy Rogers FHWA Oregon Division Bridge Engineer Jeff Swanstrom ODOT Senior Bridge Inspector Steve Tuttle ODOT Local Agency Bridge Inspection Coordinator

2. Session 1: Why Do We Perform Bridge Inspections?

3. Title 23, Code of Federal Regulations Part 650 – BRIDGES, STRUCTURES, AND HYDRAULICS Subpart C – National Bridge Inspection Standards http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/23cfr650_03.html National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS)

4. Applicability of the NBIS • …apply to all structures defined as highway bridges located on all public roads.

5. History of the National Bridge Inspection Program (NBIS)

6. History of the NBIS (cont.) Silver Bridge Disaster (1967) Nat’l emphasis in Safety Inspec.

7. FHWA bridge inspection regulations were developed as a result of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1968 (23 U.S.C. 151). Secretary of Transportation tasked with establishing national bridge inspection standards History of the NBIS (cont.)

8. Federal-Aid Highway Act, 1970 limited the NBIS to bridges on the Federal-aid hwy sys. Surface Transportation Assist. Act, 1978 NBIS extended to bridges > 20 feet on all public roads. History of the NBIS (cont.)

9. Nat’l emphasis on Fatigue/Fracture Critical bridges History of the NBIS (cont.) Mianus River Bridge (1983)

10. History of the NBIS (cont.) Schoharie Creek Bridge (1987) Nat’l Attention turns to U/W Inspect

11. Surface Trans. And Uniform Relocation Assist. Act, 1987 expanded inspection program to include: Fracture Critical Members Underwater Inspection History of the NBIS (cont.)

12. History of the ODOT’s Bridge Inspection Program

13. The first bridge condition assessments were performed by an ODOT Underwater Dive Team following the 1964 Floods. Pursuant to the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1968, Oregon officially initiated a complete Bridge Inspection Program in 1971. History of ODOT’s Bridge Inspection Program (cont.)

14. Each public agency was responsible for their own bridge inspection costs. History of ODOT’s Bridge Inspection Program (cont.)

15. FHWA Oversight of the Bridge Inspection Program • A 1988 Bridge Inspection Program Quality Assurance Review, noted several NBIS Compliance Issues:

16. FHWA Oversight of the Bridge Inspection Program • Many bridge inspections were not being completed and reported on at the prescribed frequency. • Many local agencies found it difficult to justify the retention of a Certified Bridge Inspector, for such a small inventory, which resulted in a bridge inspector qualification compliance issue.

17. Out-sourcing of Local Agency Bridge Inspections • Following the 1989 QA Review, ODOT decided to out-source the local agency bridge inspection work to consultants.

18. Oregon out sources local agency owned bridge inspections. • 7 CONTRACTS • EA. W/730-403 BRS. • 36 COUNTIES • 50+ CITIES

19. Local Agency Bridge Inspections Funding • FHWA allowed the local agency bridge inspection program to be funded from the Local Agency portion of the HBRR Program.

20. State and Local HBRRP Needs

21. State and Local HBRRP Needs

22. Element Level Condition Assessments • In 1992, ODOT formally adopted PONTIS as the bridge management system of choice.

23. Questions?

24. Session 2A Who’s responsible for what?

25. ODOT Responsibilities Consultant (Inspector) Responsibilities Bridge Owner Responsibilities Local Agency Bridge Inspection

26. Importance of bridge program partnership • ODOT • Consultant Bridge Inspectors • Local Agency Bridge Owners • Federal Highway (Program Oversight)

27. STATE’S RESPONSIBILITIES • Bridge Inspection Organization capable of performing required inspections

28. State responsibilities • Contract administration

29. State responsibilities • Maintain an inventory of all bridges located on public roads

30. State responsibilities • Each state is required to provide “Critical Follow-up” and QA/QC programs

31. QA Review Summary

32. State responsibilities • Determine the safe load capacity of each bridge • Identify bridges that need to be “Posted” for reduced capacity

33. State responsibilities • Evaluate the scour vulnerability of all bridges over a water way and determine a action plan. • Underwater inspections

34. Questions?

35. Responsibilities of theBridge Inspector Session 2b

36. 1. Help Maintain Public Safety and Confidence • Identify structural and safety concerns to insure continued safe use. • Identify developing problems

37. 2. Help Protect Public Investment • Provide prioritized maintenance recommendations. • Provide recommendations for Load Rating and Scour review

38. 3. Document Findings • Prepare and sign Report and supplemental documents and electronic files. • Submit to ODOT

39. Questions?

40. Session 2CBridge owner’s responsibilities

41. Bridge owner’s responsibilities • Properly post load restrictions on bridges when needed.

42. Bridge owner’s responsibilities • Maintain a comprehensive file for each bridge.

43. Bridge owner’s responsibilities • Review inspection contract document.

44. Contract bridge listing

45. Bridge owner’s responsibilities • Why is bridge maintenance required?

46. Develop Written Inspection Standard if different from NBIS. Who’s going to inspect these structures? Written inspection report identifying Date, inspector (Signature), condition and maintenance needs. Determine an inspection frequency that insures safe use of the structure. Identify the location of all your bridge assets. Inspection & maintenance of non-NBI Structures

47. Questions?