INSPECTION OF ANCILLARY STRUCTURES, A PUBLIC SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY

The purpose of this paper is to generate discussion about the critical need to develop policy and inspect ancillary structures on a transportation system. Ancillary structures are an integral part of the transportation system for Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The advent of a majority of structures of this type started with the construction of the interstate highway system in the late 1950s and 1960s. Structures of this type continue to be built today. A considerable amount of the original structures are still in service reaching approximately 40 years of service life. The National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) established by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in the early 1960s does not mandate inspection of ancillary structures. NBIS requires that only bridges or culverts 20 ft (6.1 m) or greater in length shall be inspected once every two years and a report submitted to the FHWA. There are a numerous amount of structures on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation system that do not require mandated inspection as required by the FHWA. This is a concern for the department, because failure could cause injury or death to the traveling public. Ancillary structures can include several different types of structures including: bridges less than 20 ft (6.1 m) in length; culverts less than 20 ft (6.1 m) in length; overhead sign structures; cantilever sign structures; breakaway sign supports; high mast light poles; standard light poles; traffic signal supports; retaining walls; and noise barriers.