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2015 Bridge Inspection Handbook

The handbook helps improve improve the quality, uniformity and consistency of the bridge inspection program.
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About the handbook

The Bridge Inspection Handbook presents MassDOT's bridge inspection business practices. It helps us meet National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) requirements. It establishes policies, practices and procedures for:

  • safety inspection
  • load posting of bridges
  • preparation and maintenance of the statewide bridge inventory

The document supplements other FHWA publications about the inspection and inventory of bridges. It also establishes the responsibilities of all individuals involved with the inspection of bridge structures.

The most up-to-date version of the handbook is available below. Consultants performing inspections and other users should periodically check this page to ensure that they are conforming to latest policies.

ChaptersIssue DateRevision Date
2015 MassDOT Bridge Inspection Handbook cover graphics for the binderMay 2015Sep 2017
Acknowledgements, Table of Contents, and Introduction and Purpose of this HandbookMay 2015January 2025
Chapter 1: IntroductionMay 2015April 2019
Chapter 2: General Safety RequirementsMay 2015 
Chapter 3: Inspection Frequency, Scheduling and CoordinationMay 2015 
Chapter 4: Field Inspection, Data Collecting, Report Writing and Report ReviewMay 2015 
Chapter 5: Quality Control and Quality AssuranceMay 2015 
Chapter 6: Rating, Posting and Closing Of BridgesMay 2015April 2019
Chapter 7: Underwater Operations TeamMay 2015 
Chapter 8: Non-NBI InspectionsMay 2015 
Chapter 9: MassDOT Supplemental Coding GuideMay 2015 
Chapter 10: Supplemental InformationMay 2015January 2025

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