Bridge Inspection and Load Rating Services, RIDOT

Statewide, Rhode Island

The roads and bridges of Rhode Island get a lot of traffic all throughout the year, but particularly in the summer months when tourism is at an all-time high. In order to ensure the integrity of the infrastructure, the state of Rhode Island has partnered up with BL Companies to perform statewide bridge inspection, testing and load rating services for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT). To date, BL has completed 13 bridge inspection assignments totaling nearly 150 bridges throughout 30 towns and cities throughout Rhode Island. From steel and prestressed concrete girder and box girder bridges, to concrete and stone masonry arches, to steel truss and timber bridges and culverts, BL has performed all manner of inspections for all bridge types, including Inventory, Routine, Fracture, Critical, Special Member and Damage Inspections. These inspections consist of two person teams, both National Bridge Inspection Standard (NBIS) qualified and supplied with the required tools, equipment and personal protective gear to conduct a thorough, hands-on inspection of all bridge elements. All inspections are done in accordance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS), Specifications for the National Bridge Inventory, and meet the requirements in the RIDOT Bridge Inspection Manual, the Bridge Inspector’s Reference Manual, the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Element Inspection, the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation, and other related sources. BL also coordinates all necessary traffic control, access permits, police details, bridge testing and special access equipment that may be required for each bridge.