What Is a Bridge Inspection and Why is It Important?

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Bridge Inspection Services are provided by nationally-known Bridge Inspection Service Companies. The companies provide comprehensive inspection services for structurally-safe bridges in both New York City and New Jersey. New York City is the national site for the New York Bridge Certification Program. This program requires that the contractors produce a certification stating that their work meets the New York City Bridge Certification standards.

Different Methods of Bridge Construction and their Selection - The Constructor

New Jersey requires that the manufacturers of commercial trucks meet strict requirements for safe bridges. Bridge Inspection Services in New Jersey are available to inspect all commercial trucks that carry heavy loads. The inspections are performed on bridge decks, piers, superstructure, approaches, guard rails, underbody structure, fatigue or deformity, pinholes, corrosion, visible damage, loose or rotten beams, loose or rotten deck fasteners, and guardrails. Bridge inspection services in New Jersey are available at all hours and at all times of the day. Bridge inspections in New Jersey are offered daily during normal business hours. Bridge inspectors use a special tool called a bridge card to determine the load rating and other conditions of the structure of the bridge deck or pier.

Bridge Inspection Services in New York City include the testing of structural steel of different weights to determine the condition of the structures. The load rating is the maximum allowable weight the structure can be supported to hold without damaging the structure. Bridge inspections also include the investigation of weathering. This inspection is to identify and correct conditions that may lead to premature failure of the structure. Conditions that can cause this include extreme temperature changes, storms, ice, and debris.

Bridge inspection services in New York also include the detection of problems that can increase the risks of falling debris and cause damage to the deck of a structure. It is also used to determine if bridge inspection projects are required to increase safety for pedestrians and motorists on the structures. This is one of the most important factors that must be considered in the construction of any bridge or toll road. NBIA is a non-profit association that was formed in 1966 to serve the interests of the drivers, builders, engineers and owners of toll roads in the National Interstate Highway Administration area. NBIA has been successful in maintaining quality road and bridge construction standards through technical research and aggressive litigation of toll road construction projects.

Bridge inspections in New York include a comprehensive examination of the structure of the roadbed, superstructure, underbelly, and seepage of the roadway. The purpose of this is to ensure that the roadway is safe for the traveling public. Bridge inspectors will also look for damage that has occurred to the foundation or supporting structure of the bridge. They will check for leaks, seepages, cracks, deteriorated conditions, loose fixtures, missing or inaccurate equipment, missing connections, and other defects. Once these issues are addressed, an examination of the equipment found in the structure will be conducted.

Most bridges are built using steel that is galvanized to resist corrosion. However, galvanized steel does not always resist all forms of damage and aging. When a bridge inspection is completed it will indicate the degree of deterioration that exists and whether further repairs are warranted. Most states require periodic inspections to ensure that these types of defects are identified and corrected before the bridges are deemed safe for use.

In many instances, local, state, and federal transportation agencies request bridge inspections be performed at regular intervals. In New York City for example, the local traffic authority has the authority to require that a specific number of biennial bridge inspections be performed. If the number of such inspections is less than a certain percentage of biennium, the city may conduct additional inspections every four years. The goal is to detect problems earlier and remedy them before they significantly decrease the performance of the system. It is important for agencies to perform a comprehensive inspection since some types of bridges are considered more hazardous than others, which can include lack of structural soundness or failure.

The primary goal of an inspection is to identify problems, review the condition of the structures, discuss potential solutions, and then make determinations regarding what can be done to correct the problems. Bridge inspectors are usually made up of a team leaders who report directly to the bridge manager or the district office that is overseeing the maintenance on the specific bridges in question. Bridge inspection teams consist of a supervisor, bridge specialists, and operators. They perform evaluations of the condition of the bridges, concentrating specifically on defects that pose a threat to the integrity of the infrastructure. Bridge inspectors must use their observations and expertise to identify problematic issues before they can be addressed.