Historic Bridge Inventory and Management Plan

New York State Department of Transportation – Statewide, New York

The New York State Department of Transportation hired Mead & Hunt to inventory nearly 11,000 pre-1961 bridges and identify those with historic value.  Mead & Hunt developed a management plan that recommends effective practices bridge owners can use to maintain and preserve their National Register eligible and listed bridges. 

The project utilized several efficiencies to review a large number of bridges quickly and economically, and to provide NYSDOT with lasting results.  First, a stratification process was used in an early project stage to organize and evaluate bridges within relevant subgroups and to eliminate altered bridges and ubiquitous types.  Second, Mead & Hunt trained student surveyors who were able to complete the field inventory of 2,000 bridges in just eight weeks.  Mead & Hunt’s stratification of bridges and use of student surveyors realized a substantial cost savings for NYSDOT.  Finally, the client also was provided a clear methodology for evaluating additional bridges and updating the database that allows the state to keep its records current.