Statewide Ohio River Fracture Critical Bridge Inspections 2022-2023

VARIOUS COUNTIES, KY

STRUCTURES

Palmer Engineering, in collaboration with HDR, was selected by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) for the 2022–2023 Statewide Ohio River Fracture Critical Bridge Inspection Package. The team successfully completed detailed inspections for the following bridges:

Clark Memorial (056B00136N) - June 2022
Daniel Beard SB (019B00039L) - September 2022
Daniel Beard NB (019B00039R) - September 2022
Ashland 12th Street (010B00040N) - September 2023
Ashland 13th Street (010B00058N) - September 2023

Inspections adhered to the Kentucky Bridge Inspection Procedures Manual (KBIPM) and the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Element Inspection. Reports were prepared per Section 300 of the KBIPM and the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) specifications, with element data recorded in AASHTOWare Bridge Management Software (BrM) in compliance with KYTC standards.

Advanced Planning & Inspection Techniques:

Maintenance of traffic plans coordinated with Indiana and Ohio DOTs
Use of industrial rope access (SPRAT certified) to minimize lane closures
Deployment of FAA Part 107 certified UAVs to supplement inspections of non-fracture critical elements

Ashland 12th Street Bridge Special Inspection:
The inspection included load rating of pins and gusset plates. A 12-member team of Professional Engineers (PEs), including 9 Qualified Team Leaders (QTLs), conducted NBI, Routine, Element Level, and NSTM inspections. Multiple access methods—including rope access, structure climbing, manlifts, UBIUs, ground access, and UAVs—were utilized to thoroughly document pin and gusset plate geometry and deterioration.

Daniel Beard Bridge Special Testing:
As part of the inspection of the Daniel Beard Bridge, Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) and Guided Wave Ultrasonic Testing (GWUT) were performed on select cables by TechKnowServ (TKS). The Palmer/HDR Team used an 80-foot articulating boom lift in conjunction with rope access rigging to provide TKS access for cable testing. The team has extensive experience coordinating with specialized contractors to deliver non-destructive testing (NDT) results for bridge elements that cannot be visually inspected.

Palmer Engineering’s expertise in bridge inspection, structural engineering, and fracture-critical assessment ensured accurate reporting, minimized public impact, and delivered a safe, efficient inspection process.