W
ith its exquisite mountain views and rolling
valleys, Oregon provides some of the most
spectacular scenic landscape in the Pacific Northwest.
Unfortunately for Ayres Associates’ structural
inspectors, they can’t enjoy much of the state’s
splendor during their visits. They’re in the state to
work.
Much of their time is spent underneath bridges
performing hands-on and visual assessments of
substructure portions most people never see. They also
document the conditions of the topside of each bridge.
The frequent checkups are essential to keeping the
public safe. And for this Tampa, Florida-based group,
they appreciate the opportunity and the obligation.
“The staff looks forward to coming out here
each year,” said Rick Maslyn, supervisor of Ayres
Associates’ structural inspection group. “The staff
enjoy working in Oregon because there are a wide
variety of structures, but they also enjoy a much
different climate than you have in Florida in the
summertime, so getting out here is a nice change of
scenery.”
Nationwide, bridge inspection has been in a
renewed spotlight after recent bridge collapses and
discoveries of dangerous deficiencies in other high-
profile structures.
Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)
officials take bridge safety seriously. The state has
more than 6,000 bridges in its inventory, including flat
slab, multi-beam, arch, and truss bridges constructed
of timber, concrete, and steel. With varying weather
conditions and geography, the structures have to
withstand significant wear and tear. Oregon has distinct
topographic areas: the Pacific coast, Columbia River
shoreline, and the Interstate 5 valley corridor between
two mountain ranges and high desert in the eastern part
of the state. Each area presents different challenges to
design engineers and bridge inspectors.
The 600 or so local agency bridges in Area 3 in the
western part of the state have become a second home
for the Ayres Associates structural inspection group the
last eight years. ODOT has selected the firm for four
consecutive two-year cycles to inspect bridges in Linn,
Polk, Benton, and Lincoln Counties, an area just to the
Above: Rick Maslyn, supervisor of Ayres Associates’ structural
inspection group, meanders through a tight spot to access the
underside of a bridge. Upper right: Maslyn checks the timber
portions of a bridge. Middle: Some inspections require ladder
access and wading. Lower right: Several historic covered
bridges are included in Ayres Associates’ inspection inventory.
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