LOCAL SCOUR CRITICAL BRIDGES
	Under the 2005 National Bridge Inspection standards (NBIS), bridge owners are required to develop Plans of Action (POA) for scour critical bridges and monitor those bridges. The Scour POA serves two purposes: 1. Establishes a systematic process of monitoring and closing bridges to ensure public safety during a significant flood event and criteria for inspection and re-opening after a flood event. 2. Assists bridge owners to program and prioritize the installation of scour countermeasures to protect scour critical bridges from flood damage. Monitoring scour critical bridges during flood events and regularly inspecting bridges with span lengths greater than 20 feet are both required by the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) as part of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The Local Scour Critical Bridge website and the informational resources in this website are provided to assist Pennsylvania local bridge owners to comply with the NBIS.
	PennDOT LOCAL SCOUR CRITICAL BRIDGE MAP Website (link) PennDOT has created an internet-based map application that contains all local (county and municipal) scour critical bridges statewide through the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The map contains specific symbols to differentiate between county and municipal (township, borough or city) bridges as well as a letter designation to identify the bridge’s scour critical bridge category (A, B or C). A pop-up dialog box containing additional information, including scour critical bridge monitoring logs, can be accessed for each bridge by clicking on the map symbols. The PennDOT Local Scour Critical Bridge Map website identifies and locates scour critical bridges owned by Pennsylvania local government agencies.
	Scour Critical Bridge FAQs The Scour Critical Bridge and Bridge Inspection Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) answer basic questions pertaining to monitoring scour critical bridges during floods and bridge inspection requirements. Two informative documents provide information to municipalities on the procedures for monitoring scour critical bridges during flood events. Introduction to the Monitoring Process A five page document, including two pages of photographs, that provides an introduction to the monitoring process and can also be used as a quick reference during flood events. Overview Process to Monitor Scour Critical Bridges A 51-page slide presentation that provides a comprehensive overview of the process to monitor scour critical bridges during flood events. The 911 and County Coordinators documents provide listings of emergency management personnel in each county. Municipalities should pre-plan bridge closure notification procedures in their county to provide bridge closure information to emergency service first responders. 911 Coordinators County Coordinators Flood and Bridge Internet Website Links PennDOT http://www.511pa.com/ - Click on the Travel Conditions Tab (upper left). - Use the Weather Alerts pull down to select a specific county. http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/Bridge_Information - PennDOT Bridge Information National Weather Service http://alerts.weather.gov/cap/pa.php?x=1 - Pennsylvania statewide weather alerts http://alerts.weather.gov/cap/pa.php?x=3 - Pennsylvania county weather alerts http://www.nhc.noaa.gov - The National Hurricane Center http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=ctp - River observations and river forecasts. - Click on a river or waterway icon to show the flood and action stages. Commonwealth of PA Alert System http://alert.pa.gov - Provides direct severe weather updates by either e-mail or cell phone text messages. - Register as a new user. Ready PA, Ready, PEMA & FEMA http://readypa.org/portal/server.pt/community/readypa/21271 - Be Informed. Be Prepared. Be Involved http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/be_informed/21273/flood/1357494 - Flood preparedness http://readypa.org/portal/server.pt/community/county_ema_9-1-1_coordinators/4629 - Pennsylvania county emergency management and 911 coordinators http://www.ready.gov/floods - Prepare. Plan. Stay Informed. Federal Highway Administration http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/federal-aidessentials/catmod.cfm?id=87 - Provides a video on the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) - Provides information on Federal-Aid Essentials