Highway bridge inspections

Álvaro NAVAREÑO RED
Head of Conservation Area
Subdirectorate General for Conservation of the General Directorate of Roads
Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (Spain)

ABSTRACT

In Italy there have been several collapses of road bridges recently, the causes of which are still being analyzed, highlighting the importance of having a bridge management system implemented in administrations. This is the case of the General Directorate of Roads of the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (MITMA), which has a long history in the field of bridge maintenance and inspections. This article specifies the different types of inspection of these singular works carried out by the aforementioned General Directorate of Roads. The importance of inspecting structures to determine their state of conservation or level of security is justified. Some results of the latest inspections carried out are also detailed. And finally, reflections on aspects to be improved and taken into account for the future are included in this type of work related to the management of a park of bridges and conservation in general. The popular saying “Prevention is better than cure” is also applicable to roads.

KEYWORDS

Conservation, Inspections, Bridges, Security, Maintenance plan.