1997 Minnesota Statutes

   165.03 Strength of bridges; inspections. 

    Subdivision 1.    Standards generally.  Each bridge, 
 including a privately owned bridge, must conform to the 
 strength, width, clearance, and safety standards imposed by the 
 commissioner for the connecting highway or street.  This 
 subdivision applies to a bridge that is constructed after August 
 1, 1989, on any public highway or street.  The bridge must have 
 sufficient strength to support with safety the maximum vehicle 
 weights allowed under section 169.825 and must have the minimum 
 width specified in section 165.04, subdivision 3. 

    Subd. 2.    Inspection and inventory responsibilities; 
 rules; forms.  The commissioner of transportation shall adopt 
 official inventory and bridge inspection report forms for use in 
 making bridge inspections by the highway authorities specified 
 by this subdivision.  Bridge inspections shall be made at 
 regular intervals, not to exceed two years, by the following 
 officials: 

    (a) The commissioner of transportation for all bridges 
 located wholly or partially within or over the right-of-way of a 
 state trunk highway. 

    (b) The county highway engineer for all bridges located 
 wholly or partially within or over the right-of-way of any 
 county or township road, or any street within a municipality 
 which does not have a city engineer regularly employed. 

    (c) The city engineer for all bridges located wholly or 
 partially within or over the right-of-way of any street located 
 within or along municipal limits. 

    (d) The commissioner of transportation in case of a toll 
 bridge used by the general public; provided, that the 
 commissioner of transportation may assess the owner for the 
 costs of such inspection. 

    The commissioner of transportation shall prescribe the 
 standards for bridge inspection and inventory by rules.  The 
 specified highway authorities shall inspect and inventory in 
 accordance with these standards and furnish the commissioner 
 with such data as may be necessary to maintain a central 
 inventory. 

    Subd. 3.    County inventory and inspection records and 
 reports.  The county engineer shall maintain a complete 
 inventory record of all bridges as set forth in subdivision 2(b) 
 with the inspection reports thereof, and shall certify annually 
 to the commissioner, as prescribed by the commissioner, that 
 inspections have been made at regular intervals not to exceed 
 two years.  A report of the inspections shall be filed annually, 
 on or before February 15 of each year, with the county auditor 
 or township clerk, or the governing body of the municipality.  
 The report shall contain recommendations for the correction of, 
 or legal posting of load limits on any bridge or structure that 
 is found to be understrength or unsafe. 

    Subd. 4.    Municipal inventory and inspection records and 
 reports.  The city engineer shall maintain a complete 
 inventory record of all bridges as set forth in subdivision 2(c) 
 with the inspection reports thereof, and shall certify annually 
 to the commissioner, as prescribed by the commissioner, that 
 inspections have been made at regular intervals not to exceed 
 two years.  A report of the inspections shall be filed annually, 
 on or before February 15 of each year, with the governing body 
 of the municipality.  The report shall contain recommendations 
 for the correction of, or legal posting of load limits on any 
 bridge or structure that is found to be understrength or unsafe. 

    Subd. 5.    Agreements.  Agreements may be made among 
 the various units of governments, or between governmental units 
 and qualified engineering personnel to carry out the 
 responsibilities for the bridge inspections and reports, as 
 established by subdivision 2. 

    Subd. 6.    Toll bridges.  The owner of a toll bridge 
 shall certify to the commissioner, as prescribed by the 
 commissioner, that inspections of the bridge have been made at 
 regular intervals not to exceed two years.  The certification 
 shall be accompanied by a report of the inspection.  The report 
 shall contain recommendations for the correction of or legal 
 posting of load limitations if the bridge is found to be 
 understrength or unsafe. 

    HIST: 1959 c 500 art 6 s 3; 1969 c 304 s 1; 1973 c 41 s 1; 
 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7; 1976 c 166 s 7; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1986 c 
 444; 1989 c 158 s 1; 1994 c 635 art 2 s 5