Bridge Rehabilitation: Department of Transport’s Fifteen-Year Strategy

Abstract

The Department of Transport has embarked on a 15-year programme for the rehabilitation of motorway and other trunk road bridges in England. This paper gives the background to the programme and describes the different types of remedial work to be carried out. It outlines the various studies which have been undertaken to determine the extent of the problems and the research and development work which is being undertaken to support the remedial work. The organisation and management of the programme is described. Finally, the paper looks at the problems which face a major public bridge owner seeking to keep an important stock of bridges in a serviceable condition in the face of ever-changing demands and with limited resources.