Purpose

The purpose of this program is to maintain and improve our bridges. Inspections identify necessary repairs and determine current load carrying capacity.

• Bridge structures are regularly inspected
• Inspection data is used to prioritize replacement and repairs
• We have replaced or rehabilitated over 100 bridges since 1980

History

• Mandated by U.S. Department of Transportation
• In 1971 the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) were established
• In 1978 funding was made available and all bridges were required to be inspected by December 1980
• In 1979 and 1980 Frederick County had 109 bridges inspected using the new NBIS standards
• Currently we have 215 bridges on the State inventory
• They are organized by Bridge numbers (such as F-0104)
• All inspection data is stored in a database and transmitted to SHA electronically