Today’s release of the audit of the state Department of Transportation for 2009 and 2010 indicates a number of shortcomings. Mandated reports are not being completed because of a “lack of funding,” which the Blogster takes as a euphemism for “lack of leadership.”
Another recommendation indicates that the bridge-inspection program could use some leadership that understands priorities. Here’s the salient quote from the audit, with my boldface. “BMM” means bridge maintenance memo:
“The Department should consider modifying its bridge inspection policies to allow increased inspection intervals for structures that meet specific requirements that would allow for such an increase.
Comment:
All bridges are treated the same as far as the maximum time between inspections. This causes inspections of bridges that are in good shape to warrant more time between inspection periods to be inspected as scheduled, usually resulting in BMMs indicating minor problems which could have been uncovered during a later inspection, without risking the safety of the bridge. The Department currently does not have enough bridge maintenance staff to keep up with the line item issues reported in the BMMs.”
Here’s part of the agency response:
“…The Department agrees with the findings. Reduced frequency of inspections on highly rated structures will save money by eliminating the inspections performed by Contract services and state forces. The savings (any savings anywhere in the Department) provides the flexibility to expend more in the Bridge Maintenance program…”