Understanding FHWA’s National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS)

 The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) or FHWA inspection set the nationwide baseline for how every public-road bridge in the U.S. is inspected, evaluated, and monitored. Born from the lessons of the tragic 1967 Silver Bridge collapse, these standards were created to ensure such failures never happen again. Today, NBIS serves as the backbone of America’s bridge safety program, establishing consistent inspection cycles, qualification requirements, and reporting protocols. By locating and assessing structural deficiencies before they become critical, NBIS helps protect millions of daily travelers and supports the long-term resilience of the nation’s infrastructure.

Key Components of the FHWA Inspection (NBIS)

Updated most recently through a final rule effective June 2022, the NBIS outlines clear requirements for inspection programs, qualified personnel, inspection intervals, standardized procedures, and robust data management. To ensure consistency and safety nationwide, the FHWA inspection evaluates State and Federal agency compliance each year using 23 detailed performance metrics.

Applicability

The FHWA inspection (NBIS) applies to highway bridges typically exceeding 20 feet in length on all public roads, including Federal, State, Tribal, and select privately owned bridges open to public travel. These standards focus exclusively on vehicular structures and exclude pedestrian-only bridges and railroad bridges, which follow separate inspection regulations.

Inspections and Intervals

Routine physical inspections must occur at least every 24 months, but this interval can shift based on risk. Bridges in deteriorated condition may require annual inspections, while low-risk structures may qualify for extensions up to 48 months or 72 months for underwater inspections, when supported by a documented, FHWA-approved risk assessment.

Personnel Qualifications

FHWA inspections must be led by a qualified "Team Leader" who meets specific experience and training requirements, including successful completion of a comprehensive bridge inspection course with a minimum passing score of 70%.

Critical Findings

Any condition that presents an immediate danger to public safety, such as a major component receiving a critical rating of “2” or below, is classified as a “critical finding.” These findings must be reported to the local FHWA Division Office without delay. Bridge owners are required to document the issue, implement follow-up actions, and track all corrective measures until the hazard is fully resolved.

Data and Inventory

Inspection data from across the country feeds into the National Bridge Inventory (NBI), the central database for tracking bridge condition and performance. With the 2022 update, agencies now follow the new Specifications for the National Bridge Inventory (SNBI), which modernizes reporting and adds element-level data for NHS bridges. All agencies are expected to fully transition to SNBI submissions by March 2026.

Quality Control/Quality Assurance (QC/QA)

Each bridge inspection organization must maintain clear, documented QC/QA procedures that guide how inspections are planned, performed, reviewed, and verified. These processes help ensure accuracy in reported data, consistency across inspection teams, and strong oversight of all activities. By standardizing quality controls, agencies can confidently meet FHWA inspection (NBIS) requirements and uphold the integrity of their overall inspection program.

Together, these components form a rigorous, standardized framework that keeps the nation’s bridges safe, reliable, and well-managed. The NBIS not only establishes clear expectations for how inspections are conducted but also strengthens accountability through defined qualifications, consistent reporting, and federal oversight. As agencies transition to the SNBI and embrace more data-driven practices, the quality, transparency, and usefulness of bridge information will continue to improve. Ultimately, the NBIS empowers bridge owners to identify risks early, respond effectively, and maintain the vital structures that support everyday travel, economic activity, and community connectivity across the United States.

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