There is always something to be learned from tragedies like the one in Minneapolis. That reaction Thursday from Montana Department of Transportation Chief Engineer Loran Frazier.
HELENA - There is always something to be learned from tragedies like the one in Minneapolis. That reaction Thursday from Montana Department of Transportation Chief Engineer Loran Frazier.
He says Montana's Engineering Division has an aggressive and proactive inspection program. Each of Montana's over 5,000 bridges are inspected every other year. He says engineers take a close look at cracks, traffic needs, foundations and deck beams.
"We've raised the bar. More frequent inspections, more detailed inspections when we're out there," Frazier explained. "We've increased our number of inspectors, we've instituted a quality assurance quality control program on our inspection program."
Frazier also clarified the use of the term "structurally deficient." He says that term does not mean that a bridge is in imminent danger of collapse, but that it has minor flaws that make it eligible for federal repair money.
