WisDOT MAPSS - Preservation - State Bridge Condition - Protecting, maintaining and operating Wisconsin's transportation system efficiently by making sound investments that preserve and extend the life of our infrastructure, while protecting our natural environment.
State Bridge Condition - Protecting, maintaining and operating Wisconsin's transportation system efficiently by making sound investments that preserve and extend the life of our infrastructure, while protecting our natural environment.Well-maintained bridges are the vital link that ensures the overall capacity of our highway system. Our goal is to have 95% of state-owned bridges rated in fair condition or better.
Wisconsin bridges are critical infrastructure assets of the highway transportation network. Inspecting and evaluating bridges is a key component of keeping bridges safe. Bridges with a condition rating of poor are considered deficient and may need corrective action to ensure current and future operation of the transportation system. An accurate understanding of the condition of the inventory of bridges allows for planning and prioritizing limited resources to address operational needs.
WisDOT’s commitment to funding bridge improvement work is reflected in low percentage of bridges in poor condition. Wisconsin puts a high emphasis on maintaining and improving bridges through rehabilitation and replacement. Bridges receive the highest priority in the project selection process. Wisconsin spends additional state money above the federal dollars it receives to maintain bridges.
WisDOT uses advancements in technology to continue refining our inspection and maintenance of state system bridges. This includes evaluating different techniques of infrared thermography imagery (IR) on state system bridges to detect deterioration in bridge decks without disturbing traffic, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or drones) to inspect difficult-to-reach bridge components, capture visual images, and provide a higher level of safety for inspectors and the traveling public during inspection operations. The department has also developed the Wisconsin Structures Asset Management System (WISAMS) to identify and support programming of bridge projects, and recently added an additional staff member dedicated to this work. Our team of asset management engineers led a research project with various other states to collect data and study bridge deterioration to better predict the remaining life of bridges and their components.