PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING REPORT OUTLINE FOR BRIDGE PROJECTS

I. Executive Summary. Provide a summary of why the engineering study was

undertaken, a brief description of the basic needs or deficiencies of the bridge(s)
being studied, a brief description of the alternatives considered, a brief
description of the preferred alternative, and the estimated total cost to construct
the preferred alternative. Note any other pertinent conclusions.

I. Problem Definition.

A. Identify the Area Served by the Bridge(s).

1. Location of Bridge(s) – Show location of the existing bridge(s) using

large and small scale maps and photographs. Indicate property
ownership, latitude and longitude, elevations, etc.. Indicate if bridge is
on a state-maintained route. Describe the area served by the bridge(s).

2. Physical Characteristics of the Area – Describe the physical character

of the project area including geology, topography, soil types, flow of
water, vegetation, etc. that may have an impact on the project costs,
performance, etc. or to allow for a more complete understanding of the
problem. Provide a copy of the USGS topographic quadrangle, FEMA
floodplain map, and wetlands inventory maps in instances where maps
have been published.

3. Users of the Bridge(s) – Discuss current use and any expected

changes in the functional use of the bridge(s):

a. Use of the Structure – Discuss the type of traffic that uses the
bridge(s) and any changes that might impact the use of the
bridge(s).

b. Number of Users – Discuss number of vehicles using bridge(s).

Discuss any specific areas or users dependent on the bridge(s).
Include the number of permanent households and farm/ranch
properties if discussing a specific area that is dependent on the
bridge(s). Indicate if bridge serves a school bus or mail route.

c. Growth Areas and Population Trends – Within the area served

by the bridge, discuss any expected changes in population and
identify specific areas of concentrated growth.

Treasure State Endowment Program PER Outline – Bridges

Montana Department of Commerce January 2012
 B. Evaluate condition of existing bridge(s).

1. History – Provide a brief history of the bridge(s), including when

constructed and any major improvements.

2. Condition of Bridge(s) – Discuss the following issues:

a. In general terms, discuss the county’s overall bridge needs.

Ideally, the condition and capacity, and suitability for continued
use of all of the county’s bridges should be assessed and the
county’s bridge needs rationally prioritized. Discuss whether the
county assessed all of its bridges and whether it has chosen the
selected bridge(s) for this project based on a methodology that
prioritized its bridge needs. (Note: an assessment of all bridges
within the county is not required, but it will likely increase the
number of points that the project receives in the TSEP ranking
process.)

b. Specifically describe the present condition and capacity, and

suitability for continued use of the bridge(s) included in the
proposed project. Include the MDT ratings found in the MDT
Bridge Assessment Form for the bridge(s).
Bridges that have not been rated by MDT will need to be
inspected, evaluated and rated. The rating must be based on
the National Bridge Inspection Standards, or MDT methodology.
Worksheets and other pertinent documentation that were used
to determine ratings for structure, deck, superstructure,
substructure, and sufficiency rating should be attached. Bridges
that have not been properly rated may result in a lower score, or
even the minimum score, under Statutory Priority #1.

Bridge inspection and the rating of bridges must be performed

by individuals that have met the criteria outlined in 23 CFR 650,
subpart C. The name and qualifications of the person inspecting
and rating the bridge must be clearly stated including
documentation of compliance with the criteria listed in 23 CFR
650.309. Inspections performed by individuals that do not meet
these criteria may result in a lower score, or even the minimum
score, for Statutory Priority #1.

C. Describe the need for the project and the problems to be solved.
Discuss the following issues:

1. Current and future bridge standards – Discuss any limitations on use of

the bridge(s) as a result of weight limits or other standards.

Treasure State Endowment Program PER Outline – Bridges

Montana Department of Commerce January 2012
 2. Safety considerations – Discuss any safety limitations imposed by the
current bridge(s) and how those issues would be resolved. Discuss
any changes to approaches and roadway geometry.

3. Alternative routing options – Discuss the impact of closing the bridge(s)

and if alternative routes are available. Include the distances involved if
an alternative route is required and show how those routes were
calculated.

4. Impact on public and emergency services – Specifically discuss the

impact that a closure would have on providing public and emergency
services. Provide documentation from the service providers, with
specific comments on how the impact will affect their ability to provide
services.

5. Utilities location or relocation – Discuss any impact on utilities.

6. Floodway – If the project is intended to resolve issues related to the

floodway, discuss those issues in detail and include a preliminary
hydraulics analysis (for example HEC-RAS). Include FEMA mapping
data.

D. Describe the Environmental Considerations. Provide information on

the location and significance of important land resources, historic sites,
endangered species/critical habitats, etc, within the project area, using
maps, photographs, studies and narrative. Discuss any potential
environmental impacts that the project may have on the area where the
project is to be constructed. Discuss any appropriate short and long-term
measures necessary to minimize potentially adverse impacts.

The information collected through the Uniform Environmental Checklist is

the basis for identifying the environmental resources in the area that may
be affected. The checklist must be included as an attachment to the PER
and must be signed by a professional engineer. If there has been a
previous environmental assessment completed for the project area,
please include a copy of the assessment in addition to the completed
checklist. Refer to the Uniform Application booklet for information related
to environmental requirements. Attach any exhibits or maps that may be
applicable to help identify environmental resources present.

E. General Design Requirements for Improvements. Describe the design

requirements that will need to be met. Include loadings and lane widths.
Include design flood event and freeboard information. Describe the
‘ballpark’ hydraulic analyses used to preliminarily size the bridge(s).
Describe any geotechnical investigations that are planned for final design.

Treasure State Endowment Program PER Outline – Bridges

Montana Department of Commerce January 2012
 Describe bridge and approach rail, and end treatments.

II. ALTERNATIVE SCREENING PROCESS. Briefly describe all available

alternatives to remedy the problems to be solved. Discuss any alternative that is
not to be discussed further in Section IV. Alternative Analysis, noting why the
alternative is obviously not suitable for further consideration. A sound justification
is required for eliminating an alternative. Also discuss the “no action” alternative
at this point, by explaining the implications of not resolving the problem.

This section documents that an option was not overlooked, but rather was
considered and ruled out as a viable option during the early stages of the
planning process. All alternatives that are not eliminated in the screening
process should be evaluated in Section IV. Alternative Analysis.

III. ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS. (Provide the following information for each

alternative bridge design.)

A. Description. Describe feasible technologies and design criteria. Discuss

the rationale for how the bridge(s) were sized.

B. Schematic Layout. Provide a schematic layout for the proposed

bridge(s).

C. Regulatory Compliance and Permits. Describe compliance with

appropriate federal, state, local or tribal requirements. Discuss any permits
that will be required to complete the project.

D. Land Requirements. Identify sites and easements required. Specify

whether these properties are currently owned, to be acquired or leased,
and whether options have been obtained contingent upon receipt of
funding. For any site not currently being used for the intended alternative,
identify adjacent land uses and any potential conflicts.

E. Environmental Considerations. Discuss any specific impacts that a

particular alternative may have, if any, beyond those already discussed in
Section II. Problem Definition. There is no need to repeat information
previously presented.

F. Construction Problems. Discuss unique concerns such as geotechnical

considerations, limited access, or other conditions that may affect cost of
construction of the bridge(s). Provide an estimated dollar amount to
mitigate such problems.

G. Cost Estimates.

Treasure State Endowment Program PER Outline – Bridges

Montana Department of Commerce January 2012
 1. Project costs (i.e., administrative, financial, engineering, and
construction costs) – Provide unit costs and basis of estimated costs.
For projects to be completed by county crews, include a comparison of
construction costs by force account versus contractor’s bid.

2. Present Worth Analysis – Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the

bridge(s), considering capital and O&M costs, and expected life of the
structure.

H. Basis of selection of a preferred alternative. Provide a comparative

analysis of all of the alternatives discussed above. Clearly define the
criteria utilized for the comparison of each alternative and consistently
apply those criteria to each alternative. At a minimum, the evaluation and
selection should take into account technical feasibility, environmental
impacts, and cost considerations. Briefly summarize the reasoning for
selecting the preferred alternative over the other alternatives. A matrix or
spreadsheet should be used to summarize the logic of the selection
process.

V. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE.

A. Site. Briefly summarize the site location of the proposed bridge(s), and
the characteristics of the site(s) and provide any additional information that
is pertinent to the proposed solution.

B. Design. Briefly summarize the design criteria and provide any additional
information that is pertinent to the proposed solution. Provide a schematic
layout for the selected alternative(s).

C. Environmental. Briefly summarize any environmental impacts that the

selected alternative may have on environmental resources, and any
appropriate short and long-term measures necessary to minimize each
potentially adverse impact. Provide any additional environmental
information that is pertinent to the proposed solution. Attach any exhibits
or maps applicable to the environmental consequences. Attach the
required environmental related correspondence and agency comments.
Include a sample copy of the letter(s) that were sent to the various
agencies, as listed in the Uniform Application, and include copies of
responses received.

D. Cost Summary for the Selected Alternative. Provide an itemized

estimate of the project administration and construction costs based on the
anticipated period of construction. Include administrative line items such
as personnel, office costs, training, legal services, interim interest, audit
costs and other costs associated with the proposed project. Include

Treasure State Endowment Program PER Outline – Bridges

Montana Department of Commerce January 2012
 construction line items for preliminary engineering, engineering design
services, construction management, construction costs, land purchase
costs, and contingency.

VI. RECOMMENDATIONS AND IMPLEMENTATION.

A. Funding Strategy. Describe the proposed sources of funding.

B. Implementation. Describe how the project will be implemented and any

special concerns regarding implementation. Provide a project schedule.
Identify any items that have the potential to delay or prevent the project
from going forward.

C. Public Participation. Describe any public participation, meetings,

hearings, or comments received from the public about the PER,
environmental concerns, or the proposed project in general. Include
minutes of meetings, copies of notices, and sign-in sheets.

Treasure State Endowment Program PER Outline – Bridges

Montana Department of Commerce January 2012