TSP2 News

Saving our Nation's Bridges
Southwestern Bridge Preservation and Maintenance Working Group Formed
(from Unitex Industry News)

The newly launched Southwestern Bridge Preservation and Maintenance Working Group will join other regional groups committed to maintaining the nation's aging bridge infrastructure.

"Our long-term goal is to promote working group interaction and cooperation to further bridge preservation," says Rob Potter, Nevada's District II bridge maintenance manager, who is coordinating the initiative. "Much of our information sharing includes 'What's working and what's not working,' " Potter says.

The Southwestern group includes department of transportation representatives from Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah. Potter hopes the members can share important information, such as test data, leading to better repair and maintenance decisions.

"We are all looking for ideas on how to get more years out of our bridges," says Potter. He is working with the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Federal Highway Administration, who are encouraging other regional groups to be established. There is also interest in starting a national bridge preservation foundation. "States need the tools to do the right thing at the right time to optimize the life cycle cost of the transportation system," Potter says.

Contact Potter at rpotter@dot.state.nv.us or (775) 834-8355.