Biennial Inspection of New York Approaches

2021 Biennial Inspection of the George Washington Bridge NY Approach HH Ramps and Retaining Walls

PRIME AE provided structural and safety inspection of the world-famous George Washington Bridge approach ramps from the Manhattan side. Engineers inspected bridges carrying traffic from the Henry Hudson Parkway and Riverside Drive, as well as all retaining walls along those two major highways.

Inspectors prepared reports for the NYS DOT in accordance with Authority, DOT and Federal standards using NYSDOT BDIS Software, as well as additional Condition Survey Reports for the PANYNJ according to the Port Authority guidelines. The Condition Survey Reports included all significant and typical findings and conclusions, plus a list of recommendations in order of priority in the four categories: Immediate, Priority, Safety, or Routine and list Findings with No Recommendations. Work also included inventory and load rating verification and updates to reflect the latest inspection findings in addition to preparation of Complete deficiency location drawings of all structures, referencing the locations of all deficiencies found and all photos included in the report.

Schedules, progress forms, as well as immediate action tracking forms and immediate action completion forms were submitted to PANYNJ on a regular basis. As part of this project, cost estimates were prepared for all Priority Repairs recommended by inspectors.

By the end of the contract, 17 bridges, 10 retaining walls, as well as numerous Overhead Sign Structures, Lighting Structures and Traffic Signal Structures were inspected. The bridges were varying from a simply supported single span concrete arch structures to 23-span long viaducts supported by steel beams or prestressed concrete boxes and beams. Quantity tables and inventories for many structures were updated.

All works were performed in close contact and interaction with PANYNJ maintenance force. Numerous discovered deficiencies severe enough to warrant an immediate action were repaired by the PANYNJ within 24 hours since the moment of discovery, sometimes immediately and directly in the lane closures used by the inspectors.

All PRIME AE Group, Inc.’s engineering services in New York are provided by KB Group of NY, Inc.

17 bridges

10 retaining walls