Project Summary

The purpose of this task, assigned under a Statewide Bridge Design retainer contract, was to perform an in-depth/fracture critical inspection and load rating of the bridge carrying Barnet Road over the Northern Vermont Railroad in Barnet, Vermont. The existing bridge, constructed in 1937 and rehabilitated in 2000, is comprised of two steel through Pratt trusses spaced at 31’-6”, with a span length of 120’. Truss members consist of riveted built-up end diagonals and chords and rolled shape verticals and diagonals. 

A four-person inspection team lead by an NBI Certified Team Leader inspected the bridge over a five-day period utilizing an above deck lift and under bridge inspection vehicle while it remained open to both vehicular traffic on the bridge and rail traffic below. A full, fracture critical inspection report was completed for the bridge and additional field measurements obtained for the bridge load rating. Load ratings were completed in accordance with the AASHTO Load and Resistance Factor Rating specifications for both the as-built and as-inspected conditions.