GSP Bridge Inspection

SJH provided an inspection team to perform the routine inspection of twenty-four (24) bridges along the NJ Turnpike as per National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS). The team consisted of a Team Leader and an Assistant Team Leader. The Team Leader was a Professional Engineer registered in the State of New Jersey and has completed the pre-requisite NHI Bridge Inspection courses. He had also completed the Fracture Critical Member (FCM) inspection course. The team members were completely familiar with the NBIS inspection guidelines, and the Authority’s reporting procedures. They were also familiar with the element level inspections and data collection, as mandated by the FHWA.

The bridges were of various configurations including multi-span steel floor beam and multi-stringer bridges and were located all along the Garden State Parkway (GSP). Some bridges were carrying the GSP and the others were over the GSP. Most of the bridges carrying the GSP are over local streets, and lane closures on these local streets were easily accomplished. However, to inspect the bridges over the GSP, lane closures along the GSP had to be coordinated with the NJTA, and we limited closures during specific times of the day. Most of the closures on the GSP were provided based on other ongoing construction projects along the Parkway and were coordinated with several bridges in the vicinity of the inspections. These times were determined at weekly coordination meetings and we submitted our requests on a weekly basis. Several structures were over waterways and inspections were performed from boats and barges. Some bridges are over railroads, and coordination was involved with the railroad and local townships for lane closures.

Our inspections focused on all the structural elements including the deck, the superstructure members, bearings, and substructure elements. The decks were inspected for cracks and spalls on the undersides and on the tops. If an overalay was present, the overalays were inspected for bulging, flaking and other deterioration. The superstructure steel members were inspected for corrosion, section loss, and cracks. Our team focused on the areas prone to such deterioration such as areas below the deck joints. The bearings were inspected for rust pack and functionality. The concrete back walls, bridge seats, and abutment stems were inspected for cracks, spalls, and exposed rebars. The pier capbeams and columns were also inspected for similar deterioration. We also measured the underclearance in the structures to ensure compliance. The structural elements were rated based on the element level rating by FHWA. The information was entered in the inspect tech program used by NJTA to monitor their bridges. Priority repair reports were developed and submitted for identified repairs.