UkrainianProfessional Education

Abstract

The article analyzes the current technical condition of Ukraine's bridges, which are a key element of the country's transportation infrastructure. In the context of martial law and the gradual depletion of infrastructure resources, the problem of ensuring reliable operation of bridges is of particular relevance. The article examines the current situation with the technical condition of bridges on roads of state and local importance, outlines the main challenges faced by the bridge management system, and justifies the need for a systematic approach to their inspection. The data of actual bridge inspections for the period from 2014 to 2024 are analyzed, which revealed a tendency to increase the number of inspections on roads of national importance and much less attention to bridges on local roads. The importance of expanding the practice of testing is emphasized, especially for structures with spans longer than 35 meters and atypical structures, where standard inspections may not be sufficient to fully assess the technical condition. The article also discusses in detail the regulatory and legislative aspects of bridge inspection regulated by Ukrainian legislation, in particular, the Law of Ukraine "On Regulation of Urban Development", Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 257 dated April 12, 2017, and other regulatory acts. The importance of compliance with the established norms and standards, such as DBN B.2.3-6:2009 "Bridges and pipes. Inspection and Testing", which regulate the procedure and frequency of inspections. Considerable attention is paid to the planning of bridge inspections and financial aspects related to their implementation. The approximate cost of inspection of bridges of different sizes is given, and the inspection plan for the period from 2024 to 2027 is proposed. The plan envisages a gradual reduction in the number of uninspected bridges on the roads of national importance until all structures are fully covered by inspections by the end of 2027. This will provide up-to-date data on the technical condition of bridges, optimize the cost of their maintenance and improve road safety. Timely and regular inspection and testing of bridges is not only a necessity to ensure their safe operation, but also an economically feasible step that reduces the cost of subsequent repairs. The proposed approach to managing the technical condition of bridges will help to improve the reliability of Ukraine's transport infrastructure, which, in turn, will have a positive impact on the country's economic development

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