Section 3: Bridge Inspections by Consultants
Anchor: #i1002926General Requirements
All firms contracted by TxDOT to perform routine bridge inspections must be pre-certified in accordance with the requirements of the applicable portions of the Code of Federal Regulations given in Appendix A. In general, inspections performed under contract to TxDOT for inspection of both on- and off-system bridges will conform to the same requirements as if done by TxDOT personnel. All bridge inspections shall also be performed in accordance with the FHWA Bridge Inspector’s Training Manual 905.
Anchor: #CIHDEHGHRoutine Bridge Inspections
For routine bridge inspections, the firm must employ an individual to serve as Project Manager who meets the following qualifications:
- Is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas, or is qualified for licensing in the State of Texas, or
- Has a minimum of ten years experience in bridge inspection assignments in a responsible capacity, and has completed a comprehensive training course based on the Bridge Inspector’s Training Manual 90.6
The term “qualified” for licensing in the State of Texas” is considerd to mean that the individual must have the necessary experience to be a Licensed Professional Engineer and be subject to approval of the State Board of Professional Engineers. The requirement for completion of a comprehensive training course based on the Bridge Inspector’s Training Manual 907 will be considered to mean completion of the two-week course presented by the National Highway Institute (NHI) called Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges8 . Certification as a Level III or IV Bridge Safety Inspector under the Nati onal Society of Professional Engineer’s program for National Certification in Engineering Technologies9 (NICET) is also considered to meet the training requirements for routine bridge inspection.
The bridge inspection Team Leaders employed by the firm must also be qualified and have
- The same qualifications as required for the Project Manager, or
- Has a minimum of five years experience in bridge inspection assignments and has completed a comprehensive training course10 based on the Bridge Inspector’s Training Manual 9011, or
- Has certification as a Level III or Level IV Bridge Safety Inspector under the NICET12 program.
Complex Bridge Inspections
For complex bridge inspections, such as those requiring fracture-critical inspections, the firm must employ a minimum of one Licensed Professional Engineer to serve as Project Manager who has the following two minimum qualifications:
- Seven years of bridge inspection or design experience, including one year of inspection or design of bridges considered as complex.
- Completed a comprehensive training course13 based on the Bridge Inspector’s Training Manual 90.14
The firm must also employ as a complex bridge inspection Team Leader an individual who has the following two minimum qualifications:
- A minimum of six years of bridge inspection or design experience, including one year of inspection or design of bridges considered as complex
- Completed of a comprehensive training course15 based on the Bridge Inspector’s Training Manual 9016.
Pre-certification Procedures for Consultants
Bridge inspection contracts are developed and monitored by both district and division personnel. Consultants must be able to demonstrate the required minimum amount of experience in bridge inspection, rating, and evaluation.
Consultant personnel must have completed the required training in bridge inspection.
Familiarity with current and past AASHTO specifications is necessary. Extensive knowledge of TxDOT bridge construction specifications including current and old TxDOT bridge designs is also necessary since many off-system bridges with no documented plans were constructed using TxDOT standard designs.
5. Bridge Inspector’s Training Manual 90, FHWA, 1991.
6. Bridge Inspector’s Training Manual 90, FHWA, 1991.
7. Bridge Inspector’s Training Manual 90, FHWA, 1991.
8. Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges, National Highway Institute, current.
9. National Society of Professional Engineer’s program for National Certification in Engineering Technologies, National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), current.
10. Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges, National Highway Institute, current.
11. Bridge Inspector’s Training Manual 90, FHWA, 1991.
12. National Society of Professional Engineer’s program for National Certification in Engineering Technologies, National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), current.
13. Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges, National Highway Institute, current.
14. Bridge Inspector’s Training Manual 90, FHWA, 1991.
15. Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges, National Highway Institute, current.