Beehive State News

Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) crews recently employed ultrasonic testing to inspect a bridge in Salt Lake's "Spaghetti Bowl." This technique involves using a transducer to send high-frequency sound waves into hard-to-see areas of the bridge, looking for any signs of damage or deterioration that might pose safety risks. The bridge under inspection was constructed in 1985 and connects northbound I-215 to westbound I-80.

"Ultrasonic testing is one of the many tools we use when assessing the condition of bridges," stated UDOT Bridge Management engineer Becky Nix. While not typically part of standard inspections, ultrasonic testing is utilized in special cases to assess critical elements of bridges.

"We want everyone to know that when they are driving on one of our bridges, they are going to be safe," Nix added.

Standard bridge inspections involve detailed data collection, including written and photo documentation, along with ranking scales. Occasionally, crews employ other methods such as LiDAR, ground penetrating radar, or infrared thermography for additional data on a bridge's condition.

Inspection standards are set by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). UDOT uses these guidelines for biennial inspections on over 3,000 state and locally owned bridges.

"We complete 150-160 bridge inspections per month," Nix noted. "It’s a busy schedule but this data is so valuable. They help to ensure public safety, and help prioritize future projects. We’re constantly collecting data so that we can make smarter, safer decisions for the state’s infrastructure."

An example cited was the January inspection of the Veyo Arch bridge on SR-18 where critical defects were identified necessitating immediate repairs which began on Saturday morning.