Balanced perspective
Inspectors use rope access to examine hard-to-reach areas under New Mexico bridge
By Eric Widholm
Inspecting the structural integrity of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge in northern New Mexico takes significant skill , but it also requires considerable courage .
Just gazing over the edge of the seventh highest bridge in the United States and 82nd highest bridge in the world – 565 feet above the Rio Grande at its highest point – leaves most people weak in the knees . The bridge offers stunning views as the river carves through the flat , tan desert landscape framed by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains .
So it ’ s understandable when even brave structural inspectors must suck in a deep , thin-aired breath before carefully taking their first step over the railing using rope access equipment to examine the bottom chord – the lowest longitudinal member of this truss bridge .
“ It ’ s very exciting , and your stomach is in knots , just given the height ,” said Brian Schroeder , Ayres Associates ’ project manager and lead inspector .
The thrill subsides quickly , however , and it ’ s time to get to work . The massive structure – part of US Highway 64 , a major east-west route in New Mexico – becomes the office for two days . Inspectors get up-close-and-personal with half of the bridge each day , taking photos and documenting conditions to ensure the structure remains safe for the public .
“ Within the first few minutes , once you get down on the bridge and start working , you ’ re more focused on the bridge itself than your surroundings ,” Schroeder said . “ It doesn ’ t take long to adjust . The people we ’ re working with are used to working at heights .”
This team of inspectors is led by New Mexico State University ’ s bridge inspection program , which has been providing the biennial inspections of the Gorge Bridge for decades . The last two cycles – in 2013 and this September – required arms-length , in-depth inspections of the bottom chord and connecting diagonal members .
TRENDS│7