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Responsibilities of the Structural Design Division include:

  • Ensure the structural integrity and safety of over 700 public bridges and retaining walls throughout the County
  • Arrange and oversee biannual bridge inspections
  • Issue and review temporary bridge overload permits
  • Provide support to other agencies as needed with retaining walls, buildings and bridges 
  • Develop maintenance and construction programs

Biannual Bridge Inspections

All bridges which span lengths over 20 feet are required to be inspected every two years by federal law. These inspections must comply with the Federal Highway Administration's National Bridge Inspection Standards. The costs for these inspections are covered 100 percent by Federal funds. Baltimore County follows the same procedures for their minor bridge structures (those between eight and 20 feet). The inspections for minor bridges are funded by the County, and when available, State aid.

Bridge Design Criteria

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) maintain the building codes for both roadway and bridge construction in the U.S. The same design criteria, right-of-way acquisition process, and environmental review and permitting processes are followed for all projects.

For Roadway Bridges

We refer to the AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges manual and its successor, the AASHTO Load Resistance Factor Design Bridge Design Specifications, which provided criteria governing the structural engineering and geotechnical aspects relating to bridge design.

For Roadway Widths Over Bridges

Both of the above manuals refer to the AASHTO Policy on Geometric Design of Highway and Streets. This document governs road design. These criteria were incorporated into the Design Standards and Policies for Rural Baltimore County roads.

 

Bridge Maintenance and Repair

Funding

When federal funds are used, projects must be reviewed by the Maryland State Highway Administration. There is also some additional environmental review documentation required on federal aid projects.

  • Bridges under 20 feet in length are 100 percent funded by the County. 
  • Bridges over 20 feet in length and meeting certain criteria qualify for Federal Bridge Replacement funds. These federal funds typically pay for 80 percent of the design and construction costs associated with a project. The County is committed to using federal funding whenever possible.

Rural Roads and Bridge Projects

Rural roads are defined as a County-maintained road within Baltimore County's rural conservation zones outside of the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL).

Design Standards for rural roads and for bridges and culverts along rural roads are included in Chapter Eight: Roads and Streets, and Chapter 10: Structures, in the Baltimore County Design Manual, adopted on August 2, 2010.

Learn More

Once a year, the Division of Engineering and Construction conducts an open workshop to receive public input on all projects located outside the County's URDL. Public meetings may also be conducted for individual projects. Bureau of Engineering personnel are available to speak at civic groups by appointment.

Explore Structural Design and Approval

 

Contact Us

Structural Design and Approval

111 West Chesapeake Avenue
Room 200
Towson, Maryland 21204

Hours

Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Phone

BALTCOGO311

Chief

Kevin J. Sabolcik, P.E.

 

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