Palmer Engineering was selected by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) for one of the Statewide Fracture Critical Bridge Inspection contracts in 2021-2022, covering key bridges across multiple counties:

• I-65 Girder-and-Floorbeam Bridges over the Rolling Fork River in Hardin County (047B00133L&R) - March 2021

• US 42 Through Truss Bridge over the Kentucky River in Carroll County (021B00043N) - June 2021

• US 31W Deck Truss Bridge over the Green River in Hart County (050B00004N) - August 2021

• US 27 Girder-and-Floorbeam Bridges over the Kentucky River in Garrard County (040B00028L&R) - July 2022

Inspection teams conducted thorough, safe evaluations in accordance with the Kentucky Bridge Inspection Procedures Manual and the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Element Inspection. Advanced techniques, including rope access, lane closures during off-peak hours, and drone-assisted inspections, were utilized to minimize traffic disruptions while capturing accurate data. All inspection reports were documented in line with Section 300 of the Kentucky Bridge Inspection Procedures Manual, with Element data recorded in AASHTOWARE Bridge Management Software (BrM) and submitted per KYTC standards.

Unique aspects of the work included:

• Deployed FAA-certified drones to supplement inspections of substructure units and deck surfaces, offering a unique perspective to document bridge conditions.

• Applied industrial rope access and fall-arrest techniques on Hart County and Carroll County trusses to reduce lane closures.

• Conducted load rating of select gusset plates on the Carroll County Truss Bridge due to heavy deterioration and distortion.

• Performed detailed visual inspections of pin and hanger assemblies using mirrors to access hard-to-see areas on Hart County bridges.

• Developed or updated framing plans of deficiencies for all bridges, providing clear documentation of defects for future inspections.