SF 2686

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; requiring commissioner of transportation to develop or
identify a device to give warning of imminent bridge collapse; requiring a report.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin STUDY OF BRIDGE COLLAPSE MONITOR AND WARNING
SYSTEM.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of transportation shall study available technology and develop
or identify a system to monitor the condition of a bridge so that motorists and other
individuals in the area are instantly warned not to cross a bridge that is in imminent
danger of collapse. The device must activate warning signs, lights, and other signals in
sensitive and programmed reaction to structural or environmental changes in the bridge
that create imminent danger of collapse.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin REPORT.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall report findings and conclusions of the study described
in section 1, no later than October 1, 2008, to the chairs of the senate and house of
representatives committees with jurisdiction over transportation policy and finance. The
report must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) a description of the technologies reviewed;
new text end

new text begin (2) a recommendation of the most feasible, accurate, and effective monitoring system
to identify conditions that create imminent danger of bridge collapse, and to be installed on
all bridges on the trunk highway system and interstate system that exceed 50 feet in length;
new text end

new text begin (3) a recommendation concerning the specifications and placement of warning signs
and signals to be triggered by the monitoring system in the event of imminent danger of
bridge collapse, and to be placed at either end of each monitored bridge and also at a
distance of 250 yards from either end of the bridge, facing vehicular traffic, and clearly
visible to the traveling public;
new text end

new text begin (4) a cost estimate and timeline required to install the monitoring and related sign
system on all bridge structures described in clause (2); and
new text end

new text begin (5) identification of any statutory changes needed to implement this program.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin This act is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end