The NDOT Bridge Inspection and Load Rating team manages Nebraska’s National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) Program, ensuring that all bridges meet federal safety and inspection requirements. Their duties include developing and updating the NDOT Bridge Inspection Program (BIP) Manual and ensuring compliance with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) standards statewide. Resources, manuals and forms related to the bridge inspection program can be found below.

 

Upcoming Bridge Inspection Map

 

The upcoming bridge inspection map provides an overview of local bridge locations with inspections due in the next 90 days. By adjusting the layers in the top-right corner, users can view both state and local bridge inspections. Additional filters on the left side allow for more refined searches to customize the display, making it easy to track upcoming inspections across Nebraska’s bridge network.

 

View the Upcoming Bridge Inspection Map

 

The data for this map is sourced directly from NDOT records. Please notify NDOT of any issues found within this resource.

 

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Bridge Inspection Program (BIP) Manual

 

The Bridge Inspection Program (BIP) Manual is the primary reference for Nebraska’s bridge inspection protocols, supporting NDOT engineers, inspectors and consultants in achieving uniform, high-quality inspections. As part of Nebraska’s National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) Program, the manual sets forth the procedures and compliance standards required by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to ensure bridge safety statewide.

To communicate updates and address evolving inspection needs, NDOT issues bulletins that provide interim guidance on specific topics within bridge inspection. These bulletins are designed to deliver timely updates, allowing inspection teams to implement the latest practices effectively and immediately. As the BIP Manual is revised, relevant bulletin guidance is incorporated into the manual, keeping Nebraska’s bridge inspection standards aligned with current practices and federal requirements. Other historical inspection program guidance is provided below.

 

 

BIP Manual

Date Updated

Bridge Inspection Program Manual

3/20/2020

Bridge Inspection Program Manual Appendix

3/20/2020

Element Inspection Manual

3/20/2020

 

 

Bulletins

Date Updated

Bulletin 24.05 Flammable Materials Under Bridges

9/17/2024

Bulletin 24.04 Inspection Quality Control

6/12/2024

Bulletin 24.03 Inspection Note Quality

5/15/2024

Bulletin 24.02 Load Rating Requests

5/15/2024

Bulletin 24.01 Direction of Increasing Reference Post

5/15/2024

 

 

NBIS Quality Assurance Reviews

Date Updated

State Bridge Engineer NBIS QA Letter 2023

 

State Bridge Engineer NBIS QA Letter 2022

 

State Bridge Engineer NBIS QA Letter 2021

 

State Bridge Engineer NBIS QA Letter 2020

 

State Bridge Engineer NBIS QA Letter 2019

 

 

 

Other Historical Guidance

Date Updated

Guidance for Bridge Inspection Interval Review

 

Nebraska Bridge Inspection Intervals

7/22/2024

FHWA Memorandum Timeframe for Posting Bridges

4/17/2019

Policy for Design, Load-Rating and Inspection of Public Road Bridges

5/24/2010

Fracture Critical Bridge Inspections

9/9/2024

Bridge Inspection Responsibility

3/19/2009

Excessive Gravel on Bridge Deck

7/2/2008

Gusset Plate Advisory Plan of Action

2/20/2008

 

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AASHTOware Bridge Management (BrM) Use

 

NDOT utilizes the AASHTOware Bridge Management (BrM) system as the centralized platform for collecting, managing and analyzing bridge inspection data across Nebraska. All bridge inspections, whether conducted on state or local structures, are required to be documented and filed within NDOT’s BrM system, ensuring consistent data quality and facilitating effective bridge management and reporting.

New inspectors needing access should contact NDOT to obtain their login credentials, enabling them to enter and update inspection data as required. Once logged in, inspectors are encouraged to consult the system’s FAQ section for valuable guidance on BrM’s features, updates and best practices.

 

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NDOT Inspection Forms

  • BR 293: Fracture Critical Inspection Report  Word   Updated 1-18

  • BR 293i: Fracture Critical Report Contents - Instructions  Word   Updated 2-13

  • BR 465: Load Rating Summary Sheet  Word   Version 1.0 Updated 01-18

  • NDOT 7: Scheduled Special Inspection - Bridge Report  Word   Updated 7-17

  • NDOT 27: Structure Maintenance Checklist  Word   Updated 7-17

  • NDOT 29: Unusual Feature Inspection List  Word   Updated 7-17

  • NDOT 97: Nebraska Bridge Inspector Certification Approval Form Word Updated 7-17

  • NDOT 317: Box Culvert Inspection Field Sketch Template  PDF   Updated 7-17

  • NDOT 319: Bridge Inspection Field Sketch Template  PDF   Updated 7-17

  • NDOT 320: Critical Finding Report  Word  Updated 7-17

  • NDOT 320i: Instructions - Critical Finding Report  Word   Updated 7-17

  • NDOT 321: Structure Repair Report (State Structures)  Word   Updated 7-17

  • NDOT 321a: Structure Repair Report (Non-State Structures)  Word   Updated 7-17

  • Load Rating Corrugated Metal Pipe (CMP) Structures  Excel

  • Field Measurement Forms  PDF

Wayne Patras

Bridge Evaluation Section Head, NBIS Program Manager

wayne.patras@nebraska.gov