Tuttle said consultants inspecting bridges in the local
agency program have a dual role: satisfying ODOT’s
stringent element-level reporting requirements and
federal standards and keeping local government
bridge owners informed and educated about their
structures.
“We measure consultant and inspector
performance from office and field reviews,” Tuttle
said. “Ayres’ inspections have consistently scored as one
of the top firms.
“Rick in particular has done a very good job
connecting and communicating with the bridge owners – the
cities and counties – and finding out specifically what those
individuals are looking for in their reports,” he said. “Rick
has done an excellent job of managing that and making
the contacts and developing the relationships with the
owners.”
Richard King, who took over ODOT’s local agency
program, said he appreciates Ayres Associates’ structural
inspectors’ strong rapport with local governments, as
well as the firm’s ability to meet expectations he has
of all inspectors: attentiveness to detail and accuracy,
clear reporting and familiarity with ODOT standards,
communication skills during field visits and follow-ups,
and honesty.
“If there is a mistake that’s made, they’re quick to fix
it or to say, ‘This is the reason why it was done,’ and then
correct it,” King said.
Upper left: Quinton measures distance from the bridge deck to the
ground to determine if erosion has occurred. Upper right: Maslyn
uses a stick to beat back wild berries that surround many bridges.
TRENDS
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