Audit Finds Some Michigan Bridge Inspections Lacking

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - An audit finds some Michigan bridges classified as being in critical condition aren't being inspected as frequently or as thoroughly as they should be.

The Michigan Department of Transportation agreed with findings from the state Auditor General that inspections of bridges need to be improved.

MDOT is required to inspect more than 5,800 state-owned bridges at least every two years.

The auditor's report Friday said MDOT didn't have sufficient processes for ensuring inspectors consistently increased the frequency of inspections for structurally deficient bridges.

That's something MDOT Director Kurt Steudel said they have since modified.

"So now when the respective inspector uploads their inspection report, if that field hasn't been filled out and says do we need to increase the inspections and is there false decking on it, they can't do that," Steudel said. "They actually have to write that in their inspection report about what they're doing there."

Steudel says at the end of the day,  it really boils down to a call by the inspectors to use their engineering judgement.

MDOT also didn't provide consistent guidance to inspectors for bridges where plywood decking is used to prevent broken concrete from falling onto traffic, according to the report.

The report recommends MDOT pursue legislation to set the frequency for risk-based bridge inspection, allowing for longer inspection intervals were warranted to improve efficiency.

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