II 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1701 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 23, 2009 Mr. Brown introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To amend title 23, United States Code, to require corrosion mitigation and prevention plans for bridges receiving Federal funding, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Bridge Life Extension Act of 2009.

2.

Findings

Congress finds that— (1)corrosion of highway bridges costs the United States economy $8,300,000,000 each year, according to the Federal Highway Administration report numbered FHWA–RD–01–157 that was submitted to Congress in 2002; (2)the ongoing cost of corrosion on United States highway bridges represents a waste of taxpayer dollars; (3)1/3 of the ongoing cost of corrosion on United States highway bridges would be saved if existing, fully-developed corrosion prevention technologies were applied to bridge decks and substructures; (4)the application of corrosion technologies to United States highway bridges is necessary, but currently underused; and (5)the application of corrosion prevention strategies should be required in the design and rehabilitation of bridge structures that use Federal funding and the development of new corrosion prevention technologies should be encouraged.

3.

Highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program

Section 144(d) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (5)

Requirements for State participation

(A)

Implementation of highway bridge management systems

As a condition for providing assistance to a State under this section, the Secretary shall require the State to develop and implement a highway bridge management system that meets the requirements of section 303. (B)

Applicability to new and existing bridges

A highway bridge management system under subparagraph (A) shall apply to— (i)design and construction of new bridges; and (ii)rehabilitation and systematic preventative maintenance of existing bridges. (C)

Preservation of structures

In developing and implementing a highway bridge management system under subparagraph (A), a State shall— (i)identify corrosion mitigation and prevention methods that will be used to preserve the highway bridges in the State, taking into account— (I)material selection; (II)coating considerations; (III)cathodic protection considerations; (IV)design considerations for corrosion; and (V)concrete requirements; (ii)establish a project maintenance program for highway bridges in the State for the purpose of extending the life of each highway bridge; and (iii)ensure that— (I)maintenance individuals are qualified, as determined by the State in accordance with the standard described in subparagraph (E); and (II)all highway bridge engineers and inspectors implementing the system are trained, and certified by the State, in corrosion mitigation and prevention techniques in accordance with the standard described in subparagraph (E). (D)

Consultation

A State shall carry out this paragraph in consultation with engineers and other experts specializing in corrosion mitigation and prevention methods. (E)

Minimum training and certification standards

The Secretary, in consultation with States, shall establish a minimum Federal standard for corrosion mitigation and prevention training and certification for individuals described in subclauses (I) and (II) of subparagraph (C)(iii). .