National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) Changes and Ohio Bridge Inspection

The Federal-Highway-Administration updated the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) in early 2024, requiring updated training for Bridge Inspection Team Leaders in Ohio and beyond. E.L. Robinson is trained and ready to perform non-redundant steel tension member (NSTM) inspections! Here's a summary of the changes.

Updated NBIS Regulations

There are four key elements to the updated NBIS:

· A new document to identify data items for the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) called the Specifications for the National Bridge Inventory (SNBI).

· New time frames for updating inventory data - In Ohio, all NBIS bridges need to complete SNBI data in the AssetWise web application, where all bridge inventory and inspection data is collected, by March 2028.

· A process for tracking the updates of inventory data.

· Required training for the Bridge Inspection Team Leader – The team leader must have the NSTM (formerly fracture critical member) training to inspect bridges that have such members.

Ohio Department of Transportation Response

To implement the new rules, Ohio is rewriting the Manual of Bridge Inspection (MBI), last updated by @Ohio-Department-of-Tranportation (ODOT) in 2014. ODOT has produced an SNBI webinar series outlining the changes to come.

E.L. Robinson Inspectors Are Trained and Ready

The good news is that you can rely on E.L. Robinson’s bridge inspectors, who are ahead of the game and up to date on the required training. Learn more about how our Bridge & Structural Engineering Services stay at the forefront of requirements and innovation: https://www.elrobinsonengineering.com/services/bridge-and-structural-engineering