Training

The class will be held at:

IDOT Day Labor
505 N. Macarthur Blvd
Springfield, IL 62702

Maximum number: 30

The cost is $2100. Registration will not be allowed through the NHI website.

NOTE: This course was updated in 2012 and 2015 and now contains mandatory prerequisite requirements for participants. See details below.

This course is based on the 2015 FHWA "Bridge Inspector's Reference Manual (BIRM)" and provides training on the safety inspection of in-service highway bridges. The course includes two virtual bridge inspection exercises* facilitated using NHI's virtual bridge inspection (VBI) computer-based training (CBT) technology; instruction on critical findings, their identification and response; curriculum on the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) element level inspection approach using the 2013 AASHTO Manual for Bridge Element Inspection 2015 Interim Revisions; and activities that maximize participant engagement throughout the course. This course does not go into depth on fracture critical, underwater, or complex bridge inspections. Other specialty courses, 130078 Fracture Critical Inspection Techniques for Steel Bridges and 130091 Underwater Bridge Inspection, cover these topics.

Participants will be asked to complete mid-term and end-of-course assessments each with a cumulative score of 70% or better to successfully complete the course and receive a certificate of completion. The sponsoring agency/State may monitor the examinations and retain the scores to qualify or certify bridge inspectors. Satisfactory completion of this course will fulfill the comprehensive bridge inspection training requirements of the National Bridge Inspection Standards. Note: Many States have additional requirements to become a bridge inspection team leader.

Participant Prerequisite Requirement: ALL participants must have met one of the three prerequisite requirements for participation in this course** and bring a course completion certificate bearing their name to the first day of the class. The passing score for all prerequisites is 70% or better. Individuals have the option to complete one of the following three prerequisite requirements: 1) 130054 Engineering Concepts for Bridge Inspectors, a 5-day Instructor-led course; 2) 130101 Introduction to Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges, a 14-hour Web-based training and assessment; or 3) 130101a Prerequisite Assessment for Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges, a Web-based assessment.

For additional details visit NHI’s Website. Individuals wishing to register for the NHI 130055 course should click the registration link above.

Seating for the course will be limited. If more individuals register than seats available, IDOT will determine the class roster based on the needs of the department and other considerations.

Any questions regarding the course should be directed to the Bridge Management Unit.

The class will be held at:

IDOT Hanley Building
Auditorium
2300 S. Dirksen Pkwy
Springfield, IL 62764​

Maximum number: 30

The cost is $1100. Registration will not be allowed through the NHI website.

In accordance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS), a Bridge Inspector must successfully complete an FHWA-approved comprehensive training to become a certified Bridge Inspection Team Leader, or Program Manager. This FHWA-approved course, intended for Professional Engineers (PEs), is based on the "Bridge Inspector's Reference Manual" (BIRM) and provides training on the safety inspection of in-service highway bridges. It has been streamlined to better suit experienced Professional Engineers, while retaining strong emphasis on bridge inspection, documentation, and coding requirements. The course is a 5-day adaptation of FHWA-NHI 130055 training course and includes one virtual bridge inspection trip (VBI) or bridge inspection field trip; new instruction on critical findings, their identification and response; curriculum on the new AASHTO Element level evaluation; and updated activities that maximize participant engagement throughout the course. This course does not go into depth on stream stability and scour or fracture critical, underwater, or complex bridge inspections. NHI does have other specialty courses in stream stability and scour (FHWA-NHI-135047) fracture critical inspection (FHWA-NHI-130078) and underwater safety inspection (FHWA-NHI-130091).

Participant Prerequisite Requirement: ALL participants must be certified professional engineers (PE) showing evidence of such certification upon arrival at the course, have met one of the three prerequisite requirements for participation in the FHWA-NHI-130056 course* and bring a course completion certificate bearing their name to the first day of the NHI-FHWA-130056 session. The passing score for all prerequisites is 70% or better. Individuals have the option to complete one of the three prerequisite requirements: 1) Engineering Concepts for Bridge Inspectors (FHWA-NHI-130054), five-day instructor-led course; 2) Introduction to Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges (FHWA-NHI-130101), 14-hour, Web-based training and assessment; and/or 3) Prerequisite Assessment for Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges (FHWA-NHI 130101a), Web-based assessment.

For additional details visit NHI’s Website. Individuals wishing to register for the NHI 130055 course should click the registration link above.

Seating for the course will be limited. If more individuals register than seats available, IDOT will determine the class roster based on the needs of the department and other considerations.

Any questions regarding the course should be directed to the Bridge Management Unit.

Maximum number: 30

The cost is $900. Registration will not be allowed through the NHI website.

For additional details visit NHI’s Website. Individuals wishing to register for the NHI 130078 course should click the registration link above. 

Seating for the course will be limited. If more individuals register than seats available, IDOT will determine the class roster based on the needs of the department and other considerations.

Any questions regarding the course should be directed to the Bridge Management Unit.

The Springfield, IL class will be held at:

Crowne Plaza
3000 S. Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62764 - map

Maximum number: 30

The cost is $295. Registration will not be allowed through the NHI website.

For additional details, visit NHI’s Website. Individuals wishing to register for the NHI 130099A course should click the registration link above.

Seating for the course will be limited. If more individuals register than seats available, IDOT will determine the class roster based on the needs of the department and other considerations.

Any questions regarding the course should be directed to the Bridge Management Unit.

The class will be held at:

Crowne Plaza Springfield – Convention Center
3000 S Dirksen Pkwy
Springfield, IL 62703 - map

Maximum number: 30

The cost is $480.

Registration will not be allowed through the NHI website.

Any questions regarding the course should be directed to the Bridge Management Unit.

The Schaumburg, IL class will be held at:

IDOT District 1
201 West Center Court
Schaumburg, IL 60196

The Springfield, IL class will be held at:

IDOT
Executive Conference Room
2300 S. Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62764

Maximum number: 30

The cost is $800. Registration will not be allowed through the NHI website.

For additional class details visit NHI’s Website. Individuals wishing to register for the NHI 135046 course should click the registration link above.

Seating for the course will be limited. If more individuals register than seats available, IDOT will determine the class roster based on the needs of the department and other considerations.

Any questions regarding the course should be directed to the Bridge Management Unit.

Description

All training version are based on the "AASHTO Manual for Bridge Element Inspection" and provides introductory training on element level inspection of in-service highway bridges.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the following terms:
• Component vs. Element vs. Safety Inspection Data
• Elements (NBE, BME, ADE)
  • Element Environments
  • Element Condition States
  • Element Defects
• Structures and Structure Units
• Explain the rules and conventions for identifying and quantifying elements
• Interpret condition state language
• Review as-built plans to identify bridge elements and determine appropriate units and quantities for elements
• Interpret condition state language based on visual observations and quantify and record observations
• Explain why bridge management is important
• Explain how element level data supports bridge management
• Identify areas of inconsistency and/or differing interpretations
• Suggest areas for clarification or further guidance

Target Audience

Federal, State, and local highway agency employees, and consultants involved in inspecting bridges or in charge of a bridge inspection unit. A background in bridge engineering and/or bridge inspection is recommended.

Course Handouts

Printed handouts will not be provided.  Please print or bring tablet/laptop to view the pdfs.

Agenda

Participant Workbook

Lesson 4 & Lesson 6 blank form (PDF) | Word

Example Plans

Element and Condition State Handout

Evaluation Form

Any questions regarding the course should be directed to the Bridge Management Unit

IL Bridge Inspection Refresher Training
October 2-5, 2023 - Online Class
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM each day
REGISTER NOW!

98 seats are available for each class. There is no cost for the class. Individuals wishing to register for the course should click the registration link above.

Due to the high volume of inspectors requiring training, IDOT will determine the class roster based on the needs of the Department and other considerations. 

PREREQUISITES:

Prior to taking the IL Bridge Inspection Refresher Training, all participants should successfully complete FHWA's comprehensive bridge inspection training 130055 Safety Inspection of In-service Bridges, or 130056 Safety Inspection of In-service Bridges for Professional Engineers, or a similar FHWA-approved bridge inspection course equivalent.

Any questions regarding the course should be directed to the Bridge Management Unit.

An individual inspector's required refresher training class and deadline date are available by clicking here.

IL Bridge Inspection Training Notes

• Agenda - Agenda IDOT BI Refresher Course - Virtual-18 hr.pdf
• Day 1 Handout - Day 1 Course Handout-IDOT BI Refresher.pdf
• Day 2 Handout - Day 2 Course Handout-IDOT BI Refresher.pdf
• Day 3 Handout - Day 3 Course Handout-IDOT BI Refresher.pdf
• Day 4 Handout - Day 4 Course Handout-IDOT BI Refresher.pdf
• Virtual IDOT BI Refresher Course Participant Instructions.pdf

The Springfield, IL class will be held at:
Illinois Department of Transportation
Executive Conference Room
2300 S. Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62764 - map

Any questions regarding the course should be directed to the Bridge Management Unit

Class Agenda

Class agenda and items inspectors should bring to class is available for download.