Chapter 4: Recommended Procedures and Sequence

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Section 1: Initial Steps

Project Overview

These sections provide a suggested sequence for managing a historic bridge project. The workflow of a historic bridge project is graphically represented in the flow chart titled “Procedures for Projects Involving Historically Significant Highway Bridges.” For a historic bridge project, a component of project development is an alternatives analysis that demonstrates “no feasible and prudent alternative” to taking the historic bridge. The process for demonstrating “no feasible and prudent alternative” to a taking is graphically represented in the flow chart titled “Historic Bridge Preservation Analysis.”

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Project Selection and Prioritization

Through the Texas Eligible Bridge Selection System (TEBSS) prioritization process, the Bridge Division (BRG) and the Transportation Planning and Programming Division (TPP) select CONSTRUCT- and DEVELOP-authorized bridge projects for inclusion in the Unified Transportation Program (UTP). For on-system projects, preliminary engineering and environmental analysis may begin with CONSTRUCT or DEVELOP authorization.

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Purpose and Need Statement

A good purpose and need statement addresses the specific deficiencies and problems associated with the existing facility. The purpose of the project is to correct the structural, geometric, and safety deficiencies. The purpose and need statement should not focus on a solution for the problem, but rather should identify the problem.

The actual scope of work to correct the deficiencies is not known at the outset of the project and would not be reflected in the purpose and need statement. Therefore, the purpose and need statement should not be “The purpose of this project is to replace the old bridge.” There may be methods to address the deficiencies of the bridge without replacement. A well-crafted and specific purpose and need statement will help identify the most prudent and feasible alternative.

The purpose and need statement serves as the basis for the development and evaluation of alternatives and the foundation for initiating the necessary environmental and engineering studies for the environmental document, Section 106 coordination, Section 4(f) coordination, and project development. The statement must be specific in describing the condition(s) that result in the deficiencies. Discuss issues such as:

narrow width
increase in traffic
number of accidents
weight limits
physical deterioration of bridge
deficient railing

See the following examples of a good and an unacceptable purpose and need statement:

Example 1. A good purpose and need statement: (Note how it addresses specific deficiencies and problems.) “The roadway traffic is slowly increasing due to continued growth of the Davis Mountains Resort area. Truck traffic is also increasing with use of SH 166 and adjacent FM 505 as a shortcut to Van Horn, Valentine, and Fort Davis. Narrow lanes, combined with wide loads, have created safety problems for motorists when they encounter each other. The pavement edges have become markedly frayed, due to vehicles leaving the pavement while driving. This fraying has led to increased maintenance needs and deteriorating road conditions.”
Example 2. An unacceptable purpose and need statement: “This project will replace the existing bridge and build a new structure at the same place. The existing warren pony truss bridge will be relocated to a city park. The project has considered a wide range of alternatives including: (1) the do nothing alternative; (2) the bypass and retention in place option; and (3) the rehabilitation/continued vehicular service option.”

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Off-System Bridge Projects

For off-system bridge projects, the district works with local governments to develop projects of mutual interest and executes an appropriate agreement with the local government.

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Historically Significant Bridges

Districts contact the Environmental Affairs Division (ENV) to determine if the existing structure is historically significant. ENV should be contacted as early as possible when:

the structure is 50 years of age or older; do not rely entirely on bridge inspection database records
the structure is on the list of historic steel trusses or is eligible to be placed on this list; check with ENV or check their web site for the listing when it becomes available
the structure is on the list of historic concrete masonry or other bridges, or is eligible to be placed on this list; check with ENV or their web site for a listing when it becomes available.

Confirm that the bridge inspection database record (Item 37) matches the correct determination of historic significance. Notify the Bridge and/or Environmental Affairs divisions of any discrepancies.

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Historic Bridge Team Formation

For structures determined to be historically significant, a district requiring assistance should immediately contact the Bridge Division project manager to form a Historic Bridge Team (HBT). The Bridge Division project manager serves as the team leader. In most instances, expense charges for activities of the HBT are borne by appropriate overhead accounts. The HBT may include the following depending on the nature, location of the bridge, and complexity of the project:

The Bridge Division structural design engineer with historic bridge experience
The Environmental Affairs Division
The district office – environmental coordinator and/or design engineer
The area office and/or consultant as appropriate
local government and/or consultant as appropriate
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
The Transportation Enhancement (TE) coordinator if an enhancement project is involved.