The Bridge Division has approximately 50 engineers, technicians and staff personnel under the direction of the Bridge Engineer. The division’s functions are many and varied, but are all dedicated to its role in the development of quality, cost effective and safe bridges for the state.

Functionally, the division is separated into seven areas: Administration, Design and Plan Preparation, Estimating, Hydraulics, Bridge Rating and Inventory, Bridge Management and CADD/Computer Systems. Employees in each of these areas combine their efforts to accomplish many tasks and objectives including:

• Structural and hydraulic design and contract plan preparation of all major highway structures;
• Cooperating with other MDOT divisions (Construction Division, Roadway Design, Maintenance Division, and the Districts) to provide technical assistance;
• Assisting in the review and selection of consulting engineering firms, which prepare bridge contract plans or perform specialized studies or inspection services;
• Coordinating activities with the districts for periodic inspection, rating and posting of existing structures;
• Collecting bridge inspection data, monitoring and reporting the structural condition of approximately 5,300 bridges on the state maintained highway system;
• Maintaining and administering the Bridge Management System; and
• Coordinating activities with the Law Enforcement Division in the evaluation of vehicles for oversize and overweight permits.