FHWA Announces New Source of Bridge Preservation
Funding
Maintenance and preservation of highway bridges received a boost
in January 2002, when the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced
that Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program (HBRRP)
funds can now be used to perform preventive maintenance on highway
bridges. This new flexibility in State highway agencies' use of the
Federal funds will help extend the useful life of bridges in a cost-effective
manner. The added flexibility will also assist States in using their
limited highway budgets to best manage their aging highway assets.
Preventive maintenance activities eligible for funding include sealing
or replacing leaking joints; applying deck overlays that will significantly
increase the service life of the deck by sealing the deck surface
and reducing the impact of aging and weathering; painting the structural
steel; and applying electrochemical chloride extraction treatments
to decks and substructure elements. States are encouraged to contact
their local FHWA division offices for more specific details on eligible
work.
King Gee, Program Manager for FHWA's Office of Infrastructure, noted
in his announcement of the new policy that, "It is important
that system preservation activities for the purpose of preventive
maintenance on bridges be carried out using a systematic process,
such as a Bridge Management System (BMS)." A BMS can help a State
make the most efficient use of preventive maintenance funding by creating
cost/benefit scenarios and investment strategies.
For more information on using HBRRP funds for bridge preservation
activities, contact your local FHWA division office or Ray McCormick
at FHWA, 202-366-4675 (email: raymond.mccormick@fhwa.dot.gov).
For more information on implementing a BMS, contact George Romack
at FHWA, 202-366-4606 (email: george.romack@fhwa.dot.gov).
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Articles
in this issue:
Pavement Preservation Forum II: Investing in
the Future
A New and Improved High-Performance
Concrete
Welcome to the Word of Nondestructive Testing
Fulfilling the LTPP Promise
Highway Technology Calendar
FHWCA Announces New Source of Bridge Preservation Funding
