For those who have been involved in working with or around bridge inspections, repair, and maintenance, it’s no secret that bridges can vary widely in size and structure.
Highway bridges can be as low as 14 to 16 feet above a road surface, as is the case with many highway overpasses. And their width can be less than 30 feet for simple, two-lane overpasses, for example.
On the other hand, highway bridges with heights exceeding 200 feet above the ground or waterway are not uncommon, while bridges taller than 100 feet are typical.
When one considers the dizzying array of structural types, lengths, widths, and heights that make up the nation’s highway bridges, it is no wonder that proper access equipment is so essential.
Where There are Bridges, There are Bridge Inspections
It’s a given that any type of highway structure will require regular cleaning and maintenance. Bridges, in particular, are also subject to several types of repair work involving not only the structural elements of the bridge itself, but the various equipment that might be attached such as signage, electrical components, and other elements.
Then there are the government mandated inspections.
As those who conduct them know, the “routine” inspection is the most common type of inspection performed and is generally required every two years. The purpose of “routine” inspections is to determine the physical and functional condition of a bridge on a regularly scheduled basis, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
And there are more than enough to keep everyone in the business occupied!
Numbers vary slightly depending on the source, but it is estimated that, in 2021, there were nearly 617,300 highway bridges in the United States, with Texas boasting the lion’s share of more than 55,000 of them, or almost 9 percent of the total.
And of these hundreds of thousands of bridges that must be accessed regularly by DOTs and contracted inspection crews, most do not require equipment to reach beyond 40 feet underneath a bridge deck.
The HPT 38 Truck Mounted Platform: When the Bridge You’re Working On is “Not Too Big, But Not Too Small”
The HPT38 is a compact and relatively light-weight truck-mounted inspection platform and a versatile under bridge inspection unit. It can quickly and easily deploy an extendable platform that will reach a length of 38 feet. Add the ability to rotate the platform a full 180 degrees horizontally beneath the bridge deck and you have access to 1,600 square feet of inspection area.
And this is accomplished from just one fixed position on a bridge deck.
The Anderson Hydra Platforms HPT 38 truck-mounted under bridge access platform weighs less than 30,000 pounds and does not require a commercial driver’s license, or CDL, to operate.
The 38 foot long telescoping platform is 42 inches wide and provides a total platform weight capacity of 1,000 pounds. The patented Tower Separation System (TSS) can deploy the work platform to a maximum of 16 feet, eight inches below the bridge deck level.
In addition to regular inspections of medium-sized bridges, the HPT 38 allows for quick and efficient tasks such as routine repairs, general maintenance, painting and sandblasting, or stripping operations.
The smaller size and versatility of the HPT 38 means that many under bridge tasks can be completed quickly, since work crews can be deployed under the bridge and working within 15 to 20 minutes after arriving at the jobsite.
For the Best Bridge Inspection and Repair Access Equipment – Under Bridge Platforms
No matter where you are working, having the best choice for your under bridge access needs is critical to successfully completing your project.
Under Bridge Platforms serves all of the Western States, including California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, and Wyoming to provide quality under bridge equipment.
Our large and expanding inventory of under bridge access platforms includes state-of-the-art bridge access platforms such as the versatile Aspen Aerials A-30 bridge inspection platform as well as the far-reaching Skyjack SJB-66TK self-propelled unit.
In fact, we carry a wide variety of bridge inspection platform vehicles that all feature multiple capabilities. Along with reach and platform size, determining the best choice for your bridge inspection, maintenance, or repair work also depends on both the bridge structure and the terrain underneath.
And, while cost is certainly important, as well, a vehicle’s capabilities and your specific project needs should be the dominant deciding factors in your equipment rental decision.
At Under Bridge Platforms, we are a professional firm that you can rely on to guide you through the process. Helping you to buy or rent the right under bridge inspection vehicle and bridge inspection platform equipment for your project is paramount for us. This is why we specialize in helping you make the proper selection.
We are also proud to be the only company in our industry based in California that offers total under bridge access. And by consistently providing high quality customer service, we have managed to build long-lasting relationships with our esteemed customers.
All of which are qualities that we work hard to keep that way.
We invite you to contact us today and let us help you with your under bridge platform and bridge access needs.
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