How often should regular inspections occur for critical infrastructure such as bridges?

Regular inspections of critical infrastructure like bridges are essential to ensure safety and structural integrity. The standard practice is to conduct these inspections annually. This frequency is based on guidelines from agencies like the Federal Highway Administration, which recognizes that regular monitoring allows for the early detection of issues such as wear and corrosion, which can escalate if left unchecked. An annual inspection provides a thorough evaluation while balancing the need for oversight and resource allocation.

More frequent inspections, such as weekly or monthly, would likely be impracticable due to the costs and manpower required and may not provide significant additional benefit for most structures unless specific concerns arise. Inspections every two years are too infrequent for critical infrastructure that may face rapid degradation or changing load conditions, thereby increasing the risk of unsafe conditions developing between inspections. Therefore, an annual schedule provides a practical and effective approach for maintaining bridge safety.