District 2 photo
By Haleigh Pike
District 2 information officer
Beneath the bustling networks of roads and highways in District 2 lie a hidden yet essential component of transportation infrastructure: culverts.
Culverts serve as vital passages, allowing water to flow safely underneath roadways, preventing flooding and erosion, and maintaining the structural integrity of the transportation system. However, like any man-made structure, culverts require regular inspection and maintenance to ensure their continued functionality and safety, and that task falls upon the shoulders of the Culvert Inspection Team and the Culvert Maintenance Crew.
The District 2 Culvert Inspection Team and the Culvert Maintenance Crew bring distinct yet complementary skill sets to the table. While the Inspection Team specializes in evaluating structural integrity and identifying potential issues, the Maintenance Crew excels in implementing repairs and proactive maintenance measures, addressing concerns before they escalate into costly repairs or disruptions to roadway safety.
Culverts are susceptible to various forms of deterioration, including erosion, corrosion and structural fatigue. Over time, these issues can compromise the integrity of the culvert, leading to leaks, collapses or blockages. Inspections typically involve a systematic and comprehensive assessment of the structure’s conditions, utilizing a combination of visual observations, structural evaluations and advanced technologies.
District 2 photo
The process begins with pre-inspection preparation by reviewing factors such as culvert location, usage and regulatory requirements. Documentation is also reviewed such as previous inspection reports, maintenance history and construction plans.
Once a site is picked, the Culvert Inspection Team goes to the location and begins by visually examining the culverts from the surface, looking for signs of deterioration, damage or blockages. Mapping tools, such as GPS and surveying equipment, are also used to accurately document culvert locations and spatial data.
The team then deploys the Rovver Crawler to inspect the interior of the culvert. This helps assess for sediment buildup, structural deterioration, joint integrity and any obstructions that may impede water flow. The Rovver Crawler also helps document the inspection with its front and back cameras and LED lights.
Following the field inspection, the Culvert Inspection Team compiles all their data, including visual observations, photographs, measurements and test results into a comprehensive report. This is used to make recommendations for maintenance, repair or rehabilitation. If the report determines maintenance is needed, the Culvert Maintenance Crew will step in.
The Culvert Maintenance Crew process begins by ensuring proper access to the culvert site and inspecting the culvert by evaluating sediment accumulation, debris blockages, structural integrity and any signs of deterioration. Various techniques are used to clear the culvert including manually removing debris, using equipment such as excavators or high-pressure water to clear debris that could be blocking the culvert downstream, and rodder hoses to clear the debris from the interior of the culvert.
In addition to the actual clearing of culverts, the Culvert Maintenance Crew also is responsible for monitoring culverts for effectiveness and maintaining records documenting their activities for future maintenance planning and regulatory compliance.
Effective culvert management requires seamless coordination between inspection teams and maintenance crews and within District 2, our culvert teams are excelling at this process. They’re ensuring proactive maintenance and timely repairs are being made, preserving infrastructure functionality, mitigating risks and ensuring the safety and reliability of our transportation networks.