Brian Cunningham, ODOT District 8 communications director, said the statewide Municipal Bridge Inspection Program Services is totally funded by the state.
“Each year ODOT spends $1 million for the program,” he said. “ODOT funds the inspection activity but if anything needs fixed, it’s the responsibility of the municipality.”
Cunningham said the ODOT has divided the state into four quadrants, each receiving about $250,000 each that is used to inspect bridges in each of the participating municipalities. He also said bridges 10 feet or longer and open to vehicular traffic are eligible for the program which provides assistance to municipalities that do not have the expertise or funding to conduct these inspections.
The bridge inspection program includes, but isn’t limited to bridge-load rating calculations, scour assessments, physical bridge inspections and fracture critical plan development, according to the agreement with the cities. The program was also established to help achieve full compliance with Federal Highway Administration metrics.
In addition to Franklin, other communities participating in the program in Butler and Warren counties include Middletown, Monroe, Oxford, Springboro, Mason, Lebanon, Carlisle and Blanchester. Middletown, which initially started in the program in 2015, renewed its agreement with ODOT in October.
Franklin City Manager Sonny Lewis said the service will save the city between $8,000 to $12,000 a year. City Council unanimously approved the resolution to participate in the program.
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