Bridge Maintenance Class

In November 2005, Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) contacted Lavaca County and advised me regarding their Bridge Maintenance Course. We decided on dates and scheduled the class for December 2005, when Clark Titus and Ralph Banks did an inventory of various bridges in Lavaca County, reviewing and analyzing our existing bridges. Lavaca County has many different types of bridges constructed of wood, steel and concrete. Many bridges have been replaced, and some existing bridges are scheduled to be replaced through the program provided by the Texas Department of Transportation. TxDOT provides an inspection on all structures 20 feet long or longer every two years. The counties then receive an update from TxDOT as to how the bridges rate in reference to operability.
The TEEX program teaches county employees how to read and interpret the bridge inspection reports. The TEEX program also covers roadway-approach maintenance at the bridges, deck maintenance, maintenance of deck joints, maintenance of bearings, and debris removal and scour protection.
Until recently it was the experienced county employees who helped with the maintenance of bridges. As a rule, the tenured employees helped train the new employees in the repair of bridges. Maintenance of bridge structures requires knowledge of where the stress points exist and their proper maintenance. Roadway-approach to bridge structures is many times neglected because of the lack of expertise and funds. With the increased costs of deck material, this function has become financially challenging.
On wooden structures, treated lumber has become a very difficult item to find