By Paul Minnis, The Republic
Drivers should feel confident crossing bridges in Bartholomew County, as long as they observe posted weight limits, according to County Commissioner Paul Franke.
The bridge that collapsed in Minnesota Wednesday was rated as "structurally deficient" in 1990 and 2005 because of corrosion and other problems. It was scheduled to be inspected every year. Franke said bridges in this county are inspected every two years by a contracted company, and generally the company's report card is good. He said bridges have been closed only twice in 11 years because of structural problems, once in Harrison Township and once near the Decatur County line. The contracted company reports immediately to the commissioners if serious problems exist. Carmel-based United has had the contract the last eight years and performs a preliminary test and a secondary test biannually. According to United the 2006 Bridge Inventory Report, Bartholomew County had 23 structurally deficient bridges and 25 functionally obsolete bridges. A structurally deficient bridge may either be closed or restricted to light vehicles because of its deteriorated structural components, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. These bridges, while not necessarily unsafe, must have limits for speed and weight. A functionally obsolete bridge has older design features and, while it is not unsafe for all vehicles, it cannot safely accommodate current traffic volumes and vehicle sizes and weights, ASCE states. The report does not include bridges on state and federal highways, which the Indiana Department of Transportation is responsible for overseeing. Stacey Gross, technical supervisor for County Highway Department, said her department has replaced six or seven bridges annually over the last two years. Usually, the bridges are not replaced because of any unsafe condition. She said replacement occurs because the bridges are old and need wider designs to better serve modern traffic. Bridge replacement and restoration money comes from the Highway Department's Cumulative Capital Fund, sometimes supplemented with federal or state grants. Bartholomew County's government oversees 207 bridges. Its oversight does not include state and federal roads, which Indiana Department of Transportation oversees. Marvin Jenkins of INDOT said state inspections also are performed every two years or whenever anything happens to potentially make them unsafe, like a car wreck. "Safety is our No. 1 priority," he said.