Procedures for Changing On-System Bridge Load Posting

The following table outlines the procedure for changing the load posting of an on-system bridge.
Changing Load Posting of an On-System Bridge
Step
Responsible Party
Action
1
Consultant/District /BRGConsultant/District /BRG
The engineer determines a change in posting status based on load ratings and/or condition ratings of the structure. A change in posting status may result from one of the following:
  • a new load restriction
  • a revision to an existing load restriction
  • a removal of a load restriction
    • Repair or rehabilitation of a bridge that increases load capacity and eliminates a load restriction.
    • Construction of a new bridge that replaces one with a load restriction.
    • Improved/refined calculations.
2
  • Submit Form 1083R, bridge inspection record, plans and supporting calculations to TxDOT Bridge Division within 30 days of inspection date (Email to
    BRG_Load_Posting@txdot.gov
    ).
3
Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer
  • Record the date the Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer receives the load posting change documentations on Form 1083R.
  • Review the recommendation and perform more detailed analysis, if necessary
4a
Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer
Disapproval of recommendation:
  • Notify the District that the recommendation was not approved.
  • Update the Bridge Inspection Management System with this information and complete Form 1083R.
  • Upload Form 1083R to the structure's file in the Bridge Inspection Management System with the file name format: DD-CCC-CCCC-SSSSS_LPR_YYYY-MM-DD (Load Posting Request with date of disapproval).
  • If the Load Rating Engineer performed a separate analysis, upload it to the structure's file in Bridge Inspection Management System with the file name format: DD-CCC-CCCC-SS-SSS_LR_YYYY-MM-DD (Load Rating with date signed and sealed).
4b
Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer
Approval of recommendation or modifies recommendation:
  • Calculate the appropriate posting level.
  • Combine load rating, posting calculations, and related documentation with the Load Rating Engineer's load posting recommendation (Form 1083R) and send to the Bridge Division Director for approval.
  • The approval of a load rating must be completed within 3 months of inspection date or when a need of a new load rating is determined.
5a
Bridge Division Director
Approval of recommendation:
  • Sign and date Form 1083R.
  • Return Form 1083R to Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer.
5b
Bridge Division Director
Disapproval of recommendation:
  • Sign and date Form 1083R.
  • Return Form 1083R to Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer.
6a
Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer
Upon Bridge Division Director Approval:
  • If the Load Rating Engineer performed a separate analysis, upload it to the structure's file in the Bridge Inspection Management System with the file name format: DD-CCC-CCCC-SS-SSS_LR_YYYY-MM-DD (Load Rating with date signed and sealed).
  • Upload load posting calculations and Form 1083R to the structure's file in the Bridge Inspection Management System with the file name format: DDCCC-CCCC-SS-SSS_LPR_YYYY-MM-DD (Load Posting Sign with date of Administrative approval).
  • Update any related coding in Bridge Inspection Management System to reflect this change.
6b
Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer
Upon Bridge Division Director Disapproval:
  • The Load Rating Engineer shall perform a separate analysis.,
  • If the new analysis indicates the load posting is not needed, upload calculations and Form 1083R to the structure's file in the Bridge Inspection Management System with the file name format: DD-CCC-CCCC-SSSSS_LPR_YYYY-MM-DD (Load Posting Sign with date of Administrative disapproval).
  • If the new analysis indicates the load posting is still needed, return to step 4b.
7
Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer
Upon receipt of the approved load posting recommendation from the Bridge Division Director:
  • Provide approval notification to the District.
  • Notify the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Texas Department of Safety (DPS) of the status change for the structure. The notification includes: District name, county name, the facility carried, the feature crossed, latitude and longitude, the status prior to the change, and the new status of the bridge.
  • The 30-day time period for posting On-System bridges starts the date that the Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer receives an approved 1083R from Bridge Division Director.
  • Provide Districts with monthly reporting that tracks the statuses of recommended load posting changes.
8
District
Upon receipt of recommendation approval notification, take one of the following actions:
  • New Load Posting or Load Posting Revision- Immediately order load posting signs and erect the signs upon their receipt.
  • Load Posting Removal - Immediately remove load posting signs.
9
District
After signs have been placed or removed:
  • Notify the Load Rating Engineer that the signs have been erected/removed at the bridge, and include the completion date.
  • Document the placement of signs with photos using the format DD-CCCCCCC-SS-SSS_LP_PHOTOS_YYYY-MM.