SAFE and SOUND
Protecting the Bridges of Hillsborough County
By Wendy Kinderman
Hillsborough County , Florida ,
has beaches and commerce , natural beauty and urban attractions , more than 1.3 million residents and 300,000 commuters – and bridges . Lots and lots of bridges – around 250 , according to the National Bridge Inventory .
These bridges cross highways and water and are themselves crossed by thousands of vehicles , bicyclists , and pedestrians every day . And that means that every day , those bridges need to be safe and ready for use .
As required by National Bridge Inspection Standards , all bridges more than 20 feet long are inspected in a two-year cycle maximum , unless conditions dictate more frequent inspections . Federal law mandates underwater inspections happen every five years ; Florida state law requires these inspections every 24 months or more frequently depending on conditions . But the County wanted more .
Fletcher Avenue over Hillsborough River
8 | TRENDS Ingenuity , Integrity , and Intelligence .