Around Arkansas
Got Bridges? Highway Department needs your help...
White River Bridge at Des Arc. Photo illustration by Randy Kemp / AAC
partment (AHTD) has been given the responsi- bility, in federal safety legislation passed in 1967, to administer the Bridge Inspection Program and ensure that these bridges are inspected for their condition and rated for their load capacity. In Arkansas, AHTD does the inspections of
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your bridges, informs you of deficiencies that are found, makes load analyses of them, recom- mends any necessary weight limits to be posted or recommends closing due to unsafe condi- tions. Since AHTD has no jurisdiction on your highway system, it is your responsibility to make the needed bridge maintenance, weight limit postings, and closings. In November 2008, the Legislative Joint Au- diting Committee conducted a performance au- dit of Arkansas’ Bridge Inspection Program. An area of concern was the lack of response from local governments as to whether or not bridge deficiencies were addressed. AHTD met with officials of the Association of Arkansas Counties and Arkansas Municipal League to discuss a pos- sible plan to address these concerns as suggested by the legislative audit.
COUNTY LINES, WINTER 2011
f your county or city has bridge length structures in your jurisdiction, you should already be aware that the Arkan- sas Highway and Transportation De-
As a County Judge, Mayor or Road Depart- ment manager, your cooperation with AHTD is important as they administer the program. Listed below are some ways that you can help:
• Bridge inspectors send an AHTD “Form V” to inform local governments of a weight limit posting deficiency or bridge related main- tenance needs. Teir importance is prioritized using a code described and listed at the bottom of the form as A, B, C, D, and G. “A” is a safety deficiency requiring prompt action. “B” is a pressing deficiency requiring action taken with- in 6 months. “C” is an important deficiency re- quiring action taken within 12 months. “D” is a routine deficiency requiring action taken within 24 months. “G” is suggested general preventive maintenance.
• Local officials should: Address the listed
needs, record the work in the “Action Taken” area on the Form V, and notify AHTD by send- ing the completed form to the AHTD district office. Or, you can use a “Form VIII”, another AHTD form, to notify AHTD.
• AHTD sends your agency’s annual “Bridge Inventory and Posting Certification” report
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from the AHTD listing with weight limit post- ings.
• Local officials should: Review the field postings for any bridges that aren’t properly posted and post bridges using materials from the AHTD district office or your supply. Sign and date the certification and return it to the district office by the December 31st deadline.
• A bridge is added or replaced on your agen-
cy’s highway system. • Local officials should notify the district of-
fice using a “Form VIII” or a letter that a bridge has been replaced or added.
If your agency finds that these areas cannot
be addressed for some reason, it would be help- ful to respond, letting AHTD know that it will be addressed “as funds are available” or whatever the reason may be. For additional information, please contact the AHTD district office in your area. Te forms are available on their website, arkansashighways. com.
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