Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Highway Bridge Program, (HBP or Category 6 ON/OFF), a bridge must meet the following requirements:
  • Bridge must meet the Ten-Year Rule
  • Bridge must
    be in Poor condition
  • Bridges in fair condition will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Allowable funding for HBP bridge replacement and rehabilitation projects is limited to the following Bridge Division directives:
  • Eligible structure costs are broken out separately for bridges in the project estimate. Bridge
    Costs
    are the structural items (mostly TxDOT Standard Specifications 400 Items) listed separately for bridges in the project estimate. The approach roadway is the actual approach roadway called for in the plans.
  • Eligible costs are based on the project estimate submitted with the final PS&E package submitted for Bridge Division prior to letting.
  • Project costs beyond the eligible Category 6 ON/OFF funding limit required for the project, must come from other available funding categories.
  • Though the need to maintain traffic can often be justified, full closure for replacement of an off-system bridge is the preferred process. If the Owner requires a phased replacement instead of a closure, without TxDOT District and Bridge Division agreement, then the Owner will be required to cover all the additional cost related to the phasing.
  • Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques should be considered to help lessen the required closure times on both On-system and Off-System structures.