INSPECTION WALKWAYS MAKE A HAZARDOUS JOB SAFER

Engineers from the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department have developed a safe, low-cost method of inspecting the state's highway bridges. Their bridge inspection walkway system, installed below the bridge deck adjacent to each of the main girders, was designed based on load criteria provided by the Bridge Design Section, AASHTO Design Specifications, and OSHA safety requirements. The walkway flooring consists of 8 Diamond walkway, 36 in. wide, 5 in. deep, 11 gauge steel, with weight of 20.2 lb/sq ft. Bridge inspection personnel can inspect the underside of the bridge deck and girders from a standing position. Inspections can be conducted with no traffic disruption and in as little as 1.5 days. The width of the platform allows two people to pass each other on the walkway. It also provides for tool storage and the use of a step ladder, if necessary. Bridge repairs can be done from the bridge walkway. Total walkway cost for the project was $324,000 for 4,758 ft of walkway.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1606878
• Authors:
  • Place, T
• Publication Date: 1990-2

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 44-45
• Serial:
  • Public Works
  • Volume: 121
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Hanley Wood
  • ISSN: 0033-3840
  • Serial URL: http://www.pwmag.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Bridges; Costs; Design; Inspection; Maintenance; Safety; Walkways
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge inspection; Bridge maintenance
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Finance; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Safety and Human Factors; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00491177
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 28 1990 12:00AM