Expertise Needed

Not knowing what type of bridge your talking about, if it's a foot bridge, wood tress, concrete, steel tress or suspension, you should maybe start here. But you need to do some basic research to start with. DJ

This looks like a job for.............................CaptMoosie

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Thanks Lyn for the vote of confidence!!!

You're welcome.

I understand your reluctance to deal with the media, whose motives are not always clear.

Yeppers Lyn, I'm very reluctant because reporters in the past have initially said one thing and turned around and did something else. I've gotten very good over the years reading between the lines and discerning what statements are truthful and what are not. Been flamed one too many times because the writer didn't know all the facts (and hence in error), didn't ask the correct questions, or stretched the truth a little too much (with the Editor's blessing or nudging or not) to make a name for themselves.

I wonder if reporters notch their bed headboards based on how many politicians, civil servants and just plain regular folk they've flamed.....????? Seems to me that small town papers are some of the worse since they're too close to the powers to be, and let's face it, reported graft, desertion, and the like sell papers. People like to read up on garbage, and instead now days a whole bunch of peeps don't give a hoot about solid research and news reporting! Not l;like it used to be.... ***SIGH*** Where are you Uncle Walter when we need you the most??!!!!

I need not go into it anymore than that.....I judge each person, errr evaluate, on a per person basis, especially when it comes to reporters, young and old, experienced or greenhorn.

I sent you a link to one of my former employers who has a department (not the one that I worked in) that inspects and analyses all types of bridges.

You might be able to ask the local building or highway department, or people who advertise structural engineering services. I would imagine that you could do an interesting article or series that describes what is looked for in bridge inspections, how often they should be done, common types of aging or deterioration, who is responsible for repairs/upgrades, etc. Good luck with this project.

I've been working pretty closely with the local DOT on what they do, how they do it and they've been very helpful, especially with the technical information, describing how inspections are done and when they decide to repair vs. replace the bridges. One thing I'd like to get is an outside opinion though. The DOT has required their public information officer to be there at all times when I'm in the field. Preferably I'd like to talk to a retired civil engineer or bridge inspector. That way I'm not stepping on anyone's toes and still getting an honest assessment.

Everyone's comments have been very helpful and I appreciate the quick responses.

Is there a similarity between a reporter asking for technical guidance and a salesman asking for feasibility?

A little information could be very destructive if taken out of context. Asset condition evaluation is a complex field and usually based not only on observations but also the context of the observation relative to the structure and also the timing within the structure's lifecycle.

I wish you well in your reporting venture, since if well done it can enhance the community expectation of appropriate maintenance and renewal strategies, but if poorly done could lead to wasted resources treating superficial issues while neglecting the real asset.

Steve,

Just to offer up another possible source of information, you might seek out Certified Weld Inspectors (CWI's) through the American Welding Society. www.aws.org There are many inspectors who use the welding code AWS D1.5 to perform extensive weld inspections on bridges. They could offer their perspective I'm sure.

Best of luck.

The source of the information is the critical key to your being able to gather credible information. There are many people who can give you an opinion about a structure, but their opinion may not be worth spit since they don't have the training or field experience to make a judgement worth listening to. Don't give all the information you gather equal credence. Not all sources are equally valuable. John Maxwell says "if you want the right information you have to ask the right questions." Educate yourself by talking to skilled people and they will help you to learn to ask the right questions.

It would be like going to a guy that runs a mechanics shop and asking him about what it takes to start up a restaurant specializing in fried chicken. He may know even some basics about starting a business, but you need much more specialized information.

Good Morning Shughes,

I may be able to stear you to a NYS Professional Engineer who lives near me who may possibly be able to assist you. He is a very knowledgeable engineer with a lot of bridge engineering and inspection work under his belt. I can supply you his name and telephone number. I just cannot guarantee that he will help you. You must first promise not to divulge where you got his name.....you did not hear it from me...I have an active working relationship with him and do not want anything to ruin our friendship and professional relationship.

I would have helped you out with your questions but I do not relish being quoted in the media. I hope you understand my reluctance to have my name in print.

BTW, I am originally from up your way, having grown up in Burnt Hills NY (north of Schenectady) and later having lived in Amsterdam NY for a number of years. I also have several former college classmates, friends and roommates who still live in Utica. One in particular works for the NYSDOT and has done so for over 30 years. I do not know if he's currently involved with bridge design and inspections/assessments.

I also served as the City of Amsterdam City Engineer at one time, where I did quite a lot of bridge inspections & evaluations. In that capacity I had to deal with the media on an almost daily basis. Unfortunately, the local paper, it's editor and cub reporters in Amsterdam were usually on a head-hunting mission trying to dig up any dirt that could find regarding City Hall and it's political workings, hence my extreme reluctance to talk to the media in any shape or form.

PM me if you're interested in discussing bridges further or for my contacts.

I really think you'd be better served talking to some engineers at the NYSDOT Regional office there in Utica.