Section 4: Bridge Maintenance and Improvement Program

Overview

The
Bridge Maintenance and Improvement Program (BMIP)
goal is to address bridge condition needs through systematic preventive maintenance to reduce life-cycle costs as well as through rehabilitation. In order to maximize the useful life of a bridge, a systematic approach for maintenance and improvement is integral to make bridge asset management effective in reducing overall life-cycle costs across the inventory.

The BMIP will improve physical conditions (not functionality) of on-system bridges by addressing all deficiencies
that could limit its serviceability or longevity through continued and accelerated
deterioration. Through effective preventive maintenance actions, the service life of bridges addressed by the program could be extended a minimum of 25 years, with only routine
maintenance needed for the next 10 years.

Definitions

The following are definitions for some of the common terms used when discussing eligibility for the BMIP.

Bridge Preservation/Preventative Maintenance
: Planned, cost-effective treatments that preserve the current condition or delays future deterioration of the condition of a bridge. Activities include, but are not limited to, element surface coating, drain cleaning and unclogging, removal of debris in and around joints, and removal of debris on bent caps and abutments.

Bridge Repair/Rehabilitation
: Activities performed to restore the condition of a bridge or bridge elements. Activities include, but are not limited to, bearing adjustment, surface painting, concrete repair, structural steel repair, and structural deck overlay (does not include asphalt overlay
).

Bridge Improvement
: Activities performed to improve the as-built condition of a bridge or bridge elements. Activities include, but are not limited to, re-decking, raising of superstructure, bearing replacement, structural strengthening, cathodic protection, and channel improvement.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the BMIP (Category 6 BMN
), a bridge must meet the following requirements:

A
bridge must be in Good or Fair condition
(Items 58, 59, 60, or 62 rated a “5” or higher).

A bridge in Poor condition with isolated areas of deterioration.

Engineer’s estimate must show that proposed work to be performed will not exceed 60% of the replacement cost. The Engineer’s Estimate shall consider all repairs and improvements needed.

When
it may not be feasible
, or prudent from a cost perspective,
to raise each condition
rating to a 7, a written justification should be provided.

The justification
must include

an explanation of why the lower condition
rating will not affect service life or long-term durability. The
goal of each BMIP project is to achieve
another 25 years of service life.

Bridge Class Culvert must be in Fair condition. Culvert requests will be looked at on a case-by-case basis, as replacement is often the more economical choice.

Included Work Categories

The following
specific work categories are eligible work types under BMIP funding
:

Re-decking projects when deck condition meets the BMIP criteria.

Bridge raisings if the bridge has damage due to over-height impacts (superstructure equals 5 or 6 as a result of impact damage). Additional bridges could be included on a case-by-case basis to ensure that raising one does not move the impact problem to another bridge.

Relief joints in concrete pavement and/or approach slab work if action helps to improve deck, substructure, or superstructure element ratings (limit of 40 feet from end of bridge).

Approach guard fence, mow strip, safety end treatment, and transition when associated with other approved work (

up to 150 ft.
.per bridge corner

Steel protective coatings.

All painting projects

under this program

must use thirdparty paint inspection services

provided and funded by the Materials and Tests Division.

Post-tension repairs. Overview during implementation must be coordinated with Bridge Division to ensure inspection forces are experienced and trained in repair work.

Installation of corrosion mitigation measures

cathodic protection system.

Retrofits of two-column bents and crash-wall installation.

Steel piling encasements

Excluded Work Categories

The following specific work categories are not eligible
for funding under the BMIP:

Bridge w
idening projects that require installation of additional substructure elements. Minor widening in conjunction with deck replacement that can be accommodated using the existing substructure will be eligible.

Bridge replacements.

Bridge rail replacement-only projects.

Debris removal-only projects, although debris removal may be included when addressing other defects on the bridge through BMIP.

Projects to address critical findings. While the Bridge Division remains available to assist District in responding to critical findings, it is not the goal of the BMIP to serve as a reactionary funding source to address such issues.

Statewide Prioritization and Programming

TxDOT’s main goals for prioritizing bridges using BMIP funds is to extend the service life of bridges, as well as improve and preserve the physical condition of the State’s On-system bridges.
District
will submit their top BMIP project priorities to the Bridge Division, then Bridge Division will program projects based on the information submitted by each District.

District provide:

District
Name

Desired letting
FY

Rankings
to prioritize their projects
submitted

Initial cost
estimate
for repairs and traffic control.

S
cope of work for each project.

A Field Assessment must be conducted for each structure that is submitted by the District during the BMIP program call. These Field Assessments should be performed by properly trained District personnel or by a Consultant.

The District may request assistance performing the field assessments from Bridge Division for:

Complex structures

Structures over water when the District does not have access to a boat.

Structure requires inspection of substructure elements below the water line.

Special access is required to perform the field assessment.

These Field Assessments will be used to determine the scope of work and detailed cost estimate.

Based on the condition assessment findings, a final project list will be set by the Bridge Division. A three-year priority listing will be developed and maintained by the Bridge Division. All project eligibilities and priorities are subject to re-evaluation and change each year, if necessary.

Table 2
-2
: Bridge Maintenance and Improvement Program Selection Process Schedule
Program Time	Month	Time Frame	Action Items
List Development	August	1 month	BRG updates bridge data in the Bridge Portfolio Manager
Program Call	September	1 month	District select s new candidates and update s current estimates and lettings.
Candidate Project Selection	October-December	3 months	BRG reviews candidate list from District submitted projects and reviews current project changes
Program Call Finalized Candidate List Published	December-January	End of month1.5 months	Final BMIP list sent to District and BRG PMs. BRG prepares final call
Long list sent to District and planning is started for TxDOTConnect Updates .	January	1 month End of the month	District submits TxDOTConnect changes to current BMIP projects. Final BMIP list sent to District and BRG Project Managers
Field Assessments performed by District personnel	April – September February-July	6 months	District s tarts working on the next years call submittal by identifying bridges and performing field assessments to acquire Pictures , Q uantities , and scope of work. BRG review required.
TxDOTCONNECT Updates Program Call Finalized	September -October	2 months	Completed BMIP F ield A ssessment F orms are sent to their BRG-PM