The state inspects about 15,000 bridges in Georgia, ranking each from good to functionally obsolete. But pedestrian bridges aren't on that list. In fact, after they're built, we learned there's no federal requirement to check them at all.
Around Atlanta, pedestrian bridges connect MARTA to the mainland and baseball fans to the game. But if you want to know when it was last inspected -- or what inspectors found -- you're going to first have to figure out who owns the bridge.
Georgia Department of Transportation has about 500 pedestrian bridges that it inspects every two years. 11Alive checked their records inspections and they appear up to date. But there's nothing that requires the DOT to do it at all.
If a problem is found?
“We'll notify that county or that city via a call, email or letter that says, 'We noticed when we were looking at your bridge there was a problem,' and then it's up to them,” said GDOT spokesperson Natalie Dale.
And there are plenty of pedestrian bridges used by hikers and bikers that don't make it on the DOT's list. The city of Atlanta says that's why it inspects all of its bridges annually.
Cobb County, which has had the most recent pedestrian bridge built, says it hired a private company in 2013 to inspect them. It's unclear how many have been inspected since, but Dales out that we haven’t had any problems.
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The bridge that collapsed in Florida on Thursday was under construction - using accelerated building methods.
“They built the entire structure off to the side and then rotated it into place,” Dale said.
Dale says it’s a new concept for Georgia. Right now they're building the structure for a new bridge on Courtland under the old one, so crews will only have to cut off traffic long enough to build the new deck.
“There isn't anything that is apples to apples with this bridge,” Dale said.
The only new pedestrian bridge under construction is the one to connect the Vine City MARTA station to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. But once pedestrians start to use it, there will be no requirement to ever inspect it again.
Every city we contacted said they do inspect their pedestrian bridges, but it really varies on where you live as to how often. And with no reporting requirement, it's difficult for someone in the public to track if necessary repairs are being made.
