UToledo Campus Bridge Inspections & Load Rating Analysis

Since 2011, DGL has assisted the University of Toledo (UT) with performing biennial bridge inspections and load rating analyses. Objectives included inspecting and evaluating the UT’s vehicular and pedestrian bridges to secure public safety. Although UT bridges are not classified as highway or public road bridges, DGL recommends their inspection and safety evaluation meet current Federal (National Bridge Inspection Standards – NBIS) and State (Ohio Department of Transportation – ODOT) standards, ensuring public safety. These standards require all bridges to be inspected on an annual basis and bridge inspection reports submitted to the owner for recordkeeping. Current standards also require all highway and public road bridges carrying vehicular traffic to be load rated and analyzed to determine their safe load carrying capacity.

UT has two main bridges that carry vehicular/pedestrian traffic and three pedestrian bridges at the Main Campus, as well as two pedestrian bridges at the Health Science Campus. Two former railroad bridges were also inspected with their ability to carry a future bike path documented.

DGL performed visual field inspections of all bridge structures with a focus on critical load carrying and safety elements. Detailed load rating analysis was performed on the West Rocket Drive and Stadium Drive Bridges. Design calculations were completed using the record plans provided to DGL, along with section loss measurements taken at the bridges. DGL also provided stamped and signed structural inspection and load rating reports illustrating our inspection findings, assessments, and load rating calculations for each structure. These reports also included repair recommendations. DGL continues to provide biennial bridge inspections and load rating analysis to UT.