Overview

Preliminary bridge layout review (PBLR) and approval is required for
all bridges
with federal funding
, regardless of funding
category
,
and for all bridges crossing TxDOT right of way
 before any detail work is performed.
A Hydraulics & Hydrology (H&H) Drainage Analysis Report must be submitted with each PBLR. If the bridge crosses a waterway, the H&H Drainage Analysis Report must include the required scour evaluation
.
The review typically takes two weeks from the date of submittal but
may depend on the complexity and the number of bridges in the submittal
.
The layout is reviewed by the following:
  • Design Division
    • Hydraulics Section
    • Project Development Support Section
  • Bridge Division
    • Bridge Design Section
    • Bridge Management Section
    • Field Operations Section - Construction and Maintenance Branch
    • Field Operations Section – Geotechnical Branch
  • Others including Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), railroad, if required
  • The Bridge Management Section will keep a record
    of all
    layout
    s
    that are
     submitted, should further questions arise during plan development.
    The layout will be approved when all comments are addressed.
  • The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires review and approval of the preliminary bridge layout when they have oversight.
  • If a railroad is involved, the layout (Railroad Exhibit A of the railroad agreement) is sent to the railroad company for their review and approval.
District should refer to the PBLR and PS&E Review Standard Operating Procedures for information on: requirements, level of review, estimations of review time, and bridge cost estimation.
If the bridge is programmed for Category 6 funding, verify that it is eligible for one of the
three
funding programs listed in Chapter 2 of this manual.
Refer to the
Bridge Detailing Guide
for Preliminary Bridge Layout criteria, Completed Bridge Layout criteria, and typical layouts. Complete and submit the Information Sheet for Structural Design (Form 2252) with all preliminary layouts for projects to be designed by the Bridge Division.
The preliminary bridge layout submittal process is as follows:
  • The
    District Bridge Engineer
    must approve preliminary layouts prior to submission
  • The layout is submitted to the Bridge Division’s PS&E Review Branch for approval.
  • Email the submittal of PBLR folder link in ProjectWise to
  • E
    mail Subject: PBLR, CSJ, County
  • The layout is approved when Division review comments are resolved.
  • Begin work on bridge detail sheets only after receiving final approval of the bridge layouts from the Bridge Division.