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RESOLUTION NO. R-1213-79: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, SELECTING COBB ENGINEERING COMPANY AS THE CITY OF NORMAN’S APPOINTED BRIDGE INSPECTION CONSULTANT TO THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL BRIDGE INSPECTION STANDARDS.
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BACKGROUND: The National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) require frequent inspection and verification of the load-carrying capacity of all publicly-owned bridges greater than 20 feet in length. The purposes of bridge inspections are:
? to ensure public safety and confidence in bridge structural capacity
? to protect public investment and allow efficient allocation of resources
? to effectively schedule maintenance and rehabilitation operations
? to provide a basis for decision-making regarding repair, maintenance, rehabilitation, or replacement
? to ensure that federal funding will remain available for bridge-related work
While State Departments of Transportation are ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards, many states including Oklahoma, have partnered with local governments by delegating certain functions of this program to those local bridge owners. Some of these functions include:
? providing assistance in ensuring that regular bridge inspections and load-carrying capacity verifications are performed for local bridges on a regular basis
? maintaining a file for each local bridge containing load ratings, flood history, maintenance records and inspection reports
? addressing any identified structural or safety-related deficiencies
DISCUSSION: There are 73 bridges in Norman that are qualified under this program. There are many more channel crossings and underground culvert systems that do not meet the 20-foot length requirements, for which the City is responsible to inspect and maintain under local standards.
In an October 4, 2012, letter, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) advised ...
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