23 USC 144 - National bridge and tunnel inventory and inspection standards

U.S Code last checked for updates: Apr 23, 2026

§ 144.

National bridge and tunnel inventory and inspection standards

(a)

Findings and Declarations.—

(1)

Findings.—

Congress finds that—

(A)

the condition of the bridges of the United States has improved since the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (Public Law 105–178; 112 Stat. 107), yet continued improvement to bridge conditions is essential to protect the safety of the traveling public and allow for the efficient movement of people and goods on which the economy of the United States relies; and

(B)

the systematic preventative maintenance of bridges, and replacement and rehabilitation of deficient bridges, should be undertaken through an overall asset management approach to transportation investment.

(2)

Declarations.—

Congress declares that it is in the vital interest of the United States—

(A)

to inventory, inspect, and improve the condition of the highway bridges and tunnels of the United States;

(B)

to use a data-driven, risk-based approach and cost-effective strategy for systematic preventative maintenance, replacement, and rehabilitation of highway bridges and tunnels to ensure safety, resilience, and extended service life;

(C)

to use performance-based bridge management systems to assist States in making timely investments;

(D)

to ensure accountability and link performance outcomes to investment decisions;

(E)

to ensure connectivity and access for residents of rural areas of the United States through strategic investments in National Highway System bridges and bridges on all public roads; and

(F)

to ensure adequate passage of aquatic and terrestrial species, where appropriate.

(b)

National Bridge and Tunnel Inventories.—

The Secretary, in consultation with the States and Federal agencies with jurisdiction over highway bridges and tunnels, shall—

(1)

inventory all highway bridges on public roads, on and off Federal-aid highways, including tribally owned and Federally owned bridges, that are bridges over waterways, other topographical barriers, other highways, and railroads;

(2)

inventory all tunnels on public roads, on and off Federal-aid highways, including tribally owned and Federally owned tunnels;

(3)

classify the bridges according to serviceability, safety, and essentiality for public use, including the potential impacts to emergency evacuation routes and to regional and national freight and passenger mobility if the serviceability of the bridge is restricted or diminished;

(4)

based on that classification, assign each a risk-based priority for systematic preventative maintenance, replacement, or rehabilitation;

(5)

determine the cost of replacing each bridge classified as in poor condition identified under this subsection with a comparable facility or the cost of rehabilitating the bridge; and

(6)

determine if the replacement or rehabilitation of bridges and tunnels should include measures to enable safe and unimpeded movement for terrestrial and aquatic species.

(c)

General Bridge Authority.—

(1)

In general.—

Except as provided in paragraph (2) and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the General Bridge Act of 1946 (33 U.S.C. 525 et seq.) shall apply to bridges authorized to be replaced, in whole or in part, by this title.

(2)

Exception.—

Section 502(b) of the General Bridge Act of 1946 (33 U.S.C. 525(b)) and section 9 of the Act of March 3, 1899 (33 U.S.C. 401), shall not apply to any bridge constructed, reconstructed, rehabilitated, or replaced with assistance under this title, if the bridge is over waters that—

(A)

are not used and are not susceptible to use in the natural condition of the water or by reasonable improvement as a means to transport interstate or foreign commerce; and

(B)

are—

(i)

not tidal; or

(ii)

if tidal, used only by recreational boating, fishing, and other small vessels that are less than 21 feet in length.

(d)

Inventory Updates and Reports.—

(1)

In general.—

The Secretary shall—

(A)

annually revise the inventories authorized by subsection (b); and

(B)

submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on the inventories.

(2)

Inspection report.—

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the MAP–21, each State and appropriate Federal agency shall report element level data to the Secretary, as each bridge is inspected pursuant to this section, for all highway bridges on the National Highway System.

(3)

Guidance.—

The Secretary shall provide guidance to States and Federal agencies for implementation of this subsection, while respecting the existing inspection schedule of each State.

(4)

Bridges not on national highway system.—

The Secretary shall—

(A)

conduct a study on the benefits, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility of requiring element-level data collection for bridges not on the National Highway System; and

(B)

submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on the results of the study.

(e)

Bridges Without Taxing Powers.—

(1)

In general.—

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any bridge that is owned and operated by an agency that does not have taxing powers and whose functions include operating a federally assisted public transit system subsidized by toll revenues shall be eligible for assistance under this title, but the amount of such assistance shall in no event exceed the cumulative amount which such agency has expended for capital and operating costs to subsidize such transit system.

(2)

Insufficient assets.—

Before authorizing an expenditure of funds under this subsection, the Secretary shall determine that the applicant agency has insufficient reserves, surpluses, and projected revenues (over and above those required for bridge and transit capital and operating costs) to fund the bridge project or activity eligible for assistance under this title.

(3)

Crediting of non-federal funds.—

Any non-Federal funds expended for the seismic retrofit of the bridge may be credited toward the non-Federal share required as a condition of receipt of any Federal funds for seismic retrofit of the bridge made available after the date of the expenditure.

(f)

Replacement of Destroyed Bridges and Ferry Boat Service.—

(1)

In general.—

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a State may use the funds apportioned under section 104(b)(2) to construct any bridge that replaces—

(A)

any low water crossing (regardless of the length of the low water crossing);

(B)

any bridge that was destroyed prior to January 1, 1965;

(C)

any ferry that was in existence on January 1, 1984; or

(D)

any road bridge that is rendered obsolete as a result of a Corps of Engineers flood control or channelization project and is not rebuilt with funds from the Corps of Engineers.

(2)

Federal share.—

The Federal share payable on any bridge construction carried out under paragraph (1) shall be 80 percent of the cost of the construction.

(g)

Historic Bridges.—

(1)

Definition of historic bridge

In this subsection, the term “historic bridge” means any bridge that is listed on, or eligible for listing on, the National Register of Historic Places.

(2)

Coordination.—

The Secretary shall, in cooperation with the States, encourage the retention, rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, and future study of historic bridges.

(3)

State inventory.—

The Secretary shall require each State to complete an inventory of all bridges on and off Federal-aid highways to determine the historic significance of the bridges.

(4)

Eligibility.—

(A)

In general.—

Subject to subparagraph (B), reasonable costs associated with actions to preserve, or reduce the impact of a project under this chapter on, the historic integrity of a historic bridge shall be eligible as reimbursable project costs under section 133 if the load capacity and safety features of the historic bridge are adequate to serve the intended use for the life of the historic bridge.

(B)

Bridges not used for vehicle traffic.—

In the case of a historic bridge that is no longer used for motorized vehicular traffic, the costs eligible as reimbursable project costs pursuant to this chapter shall not exceed the estimated cost of demolition of the historic bridge.

(5)

Preservation.—

Any State that proposes to demolish a historic bridge for a replacement project with funds made available to carry out this section shall first make the historic bridge available for donation to a State, locality, or responsible private entity if the State, locality, or responsible entity enters into an agreement—

(A)

to maintain the bridge and the features that give the historic bridge its historic significance; and

(B)

to assume all future legal and financial responsibility for the historic bridge, which may include an agreement to hold the State transportation department harmless in any liability action.

(6)

Costs incurred.—

(A)

In general.—

Costs incurred by the State to preserve a historic bridge (including funds made available to the State, locality, or private entity to enable it to accept the bridge) shall be eligible as reimbursable project costs under this chapter in an amount not to exceed the cost of demolition.

(B)

Additional funding.—

Any bridge preserved pursuant to this paragraph shall not be eligible for any other funds authorized pursuant to this title.

(h)

National Bridge and Tunnel Inspection Standards.—

(1)

Requirement.—

(A)

In general.—

The Secretary shall establish and maintain inspection standards for the proper inspection and evaluation of all highway bridges and tunnels for safety and serviceability.

(B)

Uniformity.—

The standards under this subsection shall be designed to ensure uniformity of the inspections and evaluations.

(2)

Minimum requirements of inspection standards.—

The standards established under paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum—

(A)

specify, in detail, the method by which the inspections shall be carried out by the States, Federal agencies, and tribal governments;

(B)

establish the maximum time period between inspections;

(C)

establish the qualifications for those charged with carrying out the inspections;

(D)

require each State, Federal agency, and tribal government to maintain and make available to the Secretary on request—

(i)

written reports on the results of highway bridge and tunnel inspections and notations of any action taken pursuant to the findings of the inspections; and

(ii)

current inventory data for all highway bridges and tunnels reflecting the findings of the most recent highway bridge and tunnel inspections conducted; and

(E)

establish a procedure for national certification of highway bridge inspectors and tunnel inspectors.

(3)

State compliance with inspection standards.—

The Secretary shall, at a minimum—

(A)

establish, in consultation with the States, Federal agencies, and interested and knowledgeable private organizations and individuals, procedures to conduct reviews of State compliance with—

(i)

the standards established under this subsection; and

(ii)

the calculation or reevaluation of bridge load ratings; and

(B)

establish, in consultation with the States, Federal agencies, and interested and knowledgeable private organizations and individuals, procedures for States to follow in reporting to the Secretary—

(i)

critical findings relating to structural or safety-related deficiencies of highway bridges and tunnels; and

(ii)

monitoring activities and corrective actions taken in response to a critical finding described in clause (i).

(4)

Reviews of state compliance.—

(A)

In general.—

The Secretary shall annually review State compliance with the standards established under this section.

(B)

Noncompliance.—

If an annual review in accordance with subparagraph (A) identifies noncompliance by a State, the Secretary shall—

(i)

issue a report detailing the issues of the noncompliance by December 31 of the calendar year in which the review was made; and

(ii)

provide the State an opportunity to address the noncompliance by—

(I)

developing a corrective action plan to remedy the noncompliance; or

(II)

resolving the issues of noncompliance not later than 45 days after the date of notification.

(5)

Penalty for noncompliance.—

(A)

In general.—

If a State fails to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (4)(B) by August 1 of the calendar year following the year of a finding of noncompliance, the Secretary shall, on October 1 of that year, and each year thereafter as may be necessary, require the State to dedicate funds apportioned to the State under sections 119 and 133 after the date of enactment of the MAP–21 to correct the noncompliance with the minimum inspection standards established under this subsection.

(B)

Amount.—

The amount of the funds to be directed to correcting noncompliance in accordance with subparagraph (A) shall—

(i)

be determined by the State based on an analysis of the actions needed to address the noncompliance; and

(ii)

require approval by the Secretary.

(6)

Update of standards.—

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the MAP–21, the Secretary shall update inspection standards to cover—

(A)

the methodology, training, and qualifications for inspectors; and

(B)

the frequency of inspection.

(7)

Risk-based approach.—

In carrying out the revisions required by paragraph (6), the Secretary shall consider a risk-based approach to determining the frequency of bridge inspections.

(i)

Training Program for Bridge and Tunnel Inspectors.—

(1)

In general.—

The Secretary, in cooperation with the State transportation departments, shall maintain a program designed to train appropriate personnel to carry out highway bridge and tunnel inspections.

(2)

Revisions.—

The training program shall be revised from time to time to take into account new and improved techniques.

(3)

Requirement.—

The first revision under paragraph (2) after the date of enactment of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2021 shall include techniques to assess passage of aquatic and terrestrial species and habitat restoration potential.

(j)

Bundling of Bridge Projects.—

(1)

Purpose.—

The purpose of this subsection is to save costs and time by encouraging States to bundle multiple bridge projects as 1 project.

(2)

Eligible entity defined.—

In this subsection, the term “eligible entity” means an entity eligible to carry out a bridge project under section 119 or 133.

(3)

Bundling of bridge projects.—

An eligible entity may bundle 2 or more similar bridge projects that are—

(A)

eligible projects under section 119 or 133;

(B)

included as a bundled project in a transportation improvement program under section 134(j) or a statewide transportation improvement program under section 135, as applicable; and

(C)

awarded to a single contractor or consultant pursuant to a contract for engineering and design or construction between the contractor and an eligible entity.

(4)

Itemization.—

Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including regulations), a bundling of bridge projects under this subsection may be listed as—

(A)

1 project for purposes of sections 134 and 135; and

(B)

a single project.

(5)

Financial characteristics.—

Projects bundled under this subsection shall have the same financial characteristics, including—

(A)

the same funding category or subcategory; and

(B)

the same Federal share.

(k)

Availability of Funds.—

In carrying out this section—

(1)

the Secretary may use funds made available to the Secretary under sections 104(a) and 503;

(2)

a State may use amounts apportioned to the State under section 104(b)(1) and 104(b)(2);

(3)

an Indian tribe may use funds made available to the Indian tribe under section 202; and

(4)

a Federal agency may use funds made available to the agency under section 503.

(Added Pub. L. 91–605, title II, § 204(a), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1741; amended Pub. L. 93–87, title II, § 204, Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 284; Pub. L. 93–643, § 113, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2286; Pub. L. 95–599, title I, § 124(a), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2702; Pub. L. 96–106, §§ 7, 8(a), Nov. 9, 1979, 93 Stat. 797; Pub. L. 97–327, § 5(c), Oct. 15, 1982, 96 Stat. 1612; Pub. L. 97–424, title I, §§ 121(a), 122(a), Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2111, 2112; Pub. L. 100–17, title I, §§ 123(a)–(d)(1), (3), (e), (f)(2), 128, 133(b)(11), Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 161–163, 167, 172; Pub. L. 102–240, title I, § 1028(a)–(f), Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 1967, 1968; Pub. L. 103–220, § 1, Mar. 17, 1994, 108 Stat. 100; Pub. L. 104–59, title III, §§ 318, 325(b), Nov. 28, 1995, 109 Stat. 588, 592; Pub. L. 105–178, title I, §§ 1109, 1115(f)(3); June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 141; Pub. L. 105–206, title IX, § 9002(i), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 836; Pub. L. 108–88, § 2(b)(5), Sept. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 1111; Pub. L. 108–202, § 2(b)(3), Feb. 29, 2004, 118 Stat. 478; Pub. L. 108–224, § 2(b)(2), Apr. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 627; Pub. L. 108–263, § 2(b)(2), June 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 698; Pub. L. 108–280, § 2(b)(2), July 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 876; Pub. L. 108–310, § 2(b)(5), Sept. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 1145; Pub. L. 109–14, § 2(b)(3), May 31, 2005, 119 Stat. 324; Pub. L. 109–20, § 2(b)(2), July 1, 2005, 119 Stat. 346; Pub. L. 109–35, § 2(b)(2), July 20, 2005, 119 Stat. 379; Pub. L. 109–37, § 2(b)(2), July 22, 2005, 119 Stat. 394; Pub. L. 109–40, § 2(b)(2), July 28, 2005, 119 Stat. 410; Pub. L. 109–59, title I, § 1114, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1172; Pub. L. 110–244, title I, § 101(m)(1), June 6, 2008, 122 Stat. 1575; Pub. L. 112–141, div. A, title I, § 1111(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 445; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title I, § 1111, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1344; Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title I, §§ 11123(e), 11310(b), 11524(b), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 506, 536, 606.)

cite as: 23 USC 144