Page 89 - Bridge and Highway Structure Rehabilitation and Repair

64 SECTION 1 ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

• Install high-tech sensors and train additional inspectors
• Close down some lanes, if feasible
• Close down the bridge adversely affecting travel, trade, and commerce.
Funding can be increased by:
• Increases in highway trust funds
• Issuing bonds and taking out debts
• Raising gasoline taxes
• Hiking tolls on roads and bridges
• Shifting funds from other non-transportation allocations.

2.5.3 Project Scoping Process

Scoping is the first major stage of the project where most important decisions are made.
The end products of this stage are:
1. Project objectives.
2. Design criteria.
3. Feasible alternatives.
4. A reasonable cost estimate.
5. Historic preservation.
6. To identify key environmental issues, e.g., wetlands, endangered species, protected streams,
contaminated soil, asbestos, lead based paint, noise, etc.
The information needs to be assembled and analyzed in this stage. It must be of suffi cient
detail to demonstrate that the project is defined by these “scoping products.” Analysis should

show that the project scope is appropriate. Only then should it be progressed to the next stage
of project production.
As described in Chapter 1, the scope of work applies to the following aspects:
1. Life cycle cost evaluation.
2. Maintenance and protection of traffi c.
3. Hydraulic and scour studies.
4. Seismic retrofi ts.
5. Environmental considerations and acquiring permits.
6. Performing value engineering for optimum project cost.

2.5.4 Project Funding
The decision to continue maintaining a bridge or to demolish and replace it is based on
safety considerations and the cost required to overcome deficiencies. Sources of funding for

most public works are as follows:
1. FHWA provides 80 to 100 percent funding on selected bridges.
2. States will provide the remaining percentage of funds.
3. Local governments would not generally provide for new bridges, but for rehabilitation.
4. Private funding may sometimes be available but is unspecifi ed.
Results from investigations given below are to be included in scoping document.

2.5.5 Scoping for a Rehabilitation Project
1. Addressing specifi c deficiencies: The scoping document may also serve as a design approval

document.