Highway bridges are structures designed for vehicles to safely cross over or under obstacles. They are designed by engineers and can be made of various materials and systems. Maintenance is necessary to ensure public safety and prevent costly replacements. Interchanges and tunnels are common types of highway bridges.
A highway bridge is a major road structure designed to pass over or under an obstacle. For example, cars may use a highway bridge to cross a stream or other lanes of traffic. Most highway bridges are not used by pedestrians and do not contain footpaths. Instead, they are generally intended to allow vehicles, such as passenger cars or semi-trailers, to safely cross over or under the obstruction.
A highway bridge is typically designed by an engineer, who considers the purpose of the bridge in planning its design. The structural design of a highway bridge can vary widely, depending on the length, location, expected cargo weight, and width requirements. Whether the space below or above the deck is needed is another construction consideration. Construction budgets and material availability also affect the type of highway bridge design used.
Highway bridges can be built with a variety of different materials, including concrete, steel, or stone, as well as metal alloys or wood. Bridges can be built with beam, truss or arch systems as well as cable-stayed and suspension systems. In general, the number of traffic lanes contained in a highway bridge affects its overall width.
Two common types of highway bridges are causeways and tunnels. An overload usually drives the highway over an obstacle. For example, an overload could be performed on another highway. On the other hand, a tunnel allows a highway to pass under or through a structure. A tunnel can be used, for example, to provide a passage through a mountain or under another highway system. Shorter tunnels, usually less than 0.1 miles (about 0.16 kilometers), are sometimes referred to as underpasses or slipways.
Sometimes highway bridge construction involves a complex system of ramps and roadways known as an interchange. In general, an interchange provides a way for vehicles to pass between multiple intersecting highways. Structures called ramps are usually used by vehicles when moving from one highway to another.
Highway bridges require regular maintenance to ensure public safety. Typically, inspection of highway bridges includes locating minor problems and ensuring they are properly repaired. Preventive maintenance of bridges can help avoid costly replacements down the road. If potentially hazardous conditions are found, bridge inspectors should accurately document this data and recommend any corrective measures. In some cases, this may mean reducing traffic on the bridge and vehicle weight or even temporarily closing the bridge to traffic until it can be fully repaired.
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