District Bridge Engineer

The District Bridge Engineer has the direct responsibility for the Bridge Inspection Program (BIP) in a district. The district bridge engineer may not be as involved in the day-to-day operations of a district’s BIP as would the Bridge Inspection Coordinator, but they act to ensure accuracy and effectiveness of the BIP within their district.
Depending on how each district is structured, there will be variation in how the following duties are carried out. However, the District Bridge Engineer, in regard to the district’s BIP, is responsible for:
  • Reviewing load ratings as part of the required Quality Control process for bridge inspections (for On- and Off-System)
  • Reviewing the recommended load postings to ensure accuracy in both the recommendations as well as the ordering of the signs (for On- and Off-System)
  • Performing load ratings and determining load postings for bridges (for On- and OffSystem)
  • As needed, leading the Damage, Inventory, Emergency, and Reduced Frequency inspections in the district as a Qualified Team Leader
  • Acting as the Engineer-of-Record for inspection reports performed by other bridge inspection staff in a district (if they are not Engineers)
  • Tracking and managing bridge repair and maintenance, including Critical Findings, ensuring the follow-through of items to completion
  • As needed, liaising with local officials for the load posting or closing of bridges, bridge repairs, replacements, etc.
  • Managing the scour evaluation or analysis needs, scour documentation, and follow-up of the scour plans of action
  • Reviewing and/or approving bridge inspection invoicing by consultants
  • Coordinating traffic control for District, Consultant, and Bridge Division inspections
  • Manage continual quality control of the district’s bridge inspection data in AssetWise, TxDOT’s Bridge Inspection Management System
  • Managing or coordinate the work of the district’s Bridge Maintenance Crew
  • Facilitating the training of Maintenance Sections in the performance of off-cycle bridge maintenance inspections and inputting of results into AssetWise (or ensure this is carried out by the district Maintenance Bridge Inspection Tracking System (MBITS) Coordinator)
  • Facilitating appropriate measures for bridge projects with environmental issues (lead, asbestos, etc.)
  • Reviewing and coordinating the attachments of utilities, stream gauges, etc., to bridges
  • Coordinating the maintenance of vertical clearance measurements and signs
  • Conducting Bridge Condition Surveys
  • Ensuring all qualifying candidate bridges are submitted to Bridge Division for rehab, widening, replacement, etc.