Bridge Design
Welcome to the Bureau of Bridge Design!
The Bureau of Bridge Design designs and prepares contract plans for bridge rehabilitation and replacement projects. These efforts often support and are part of projects advertised through other bureaus. Bridge inspection and ratings for state and municipal bridges to monitor the conditions of publicly-owned bridges are also important functions of our bureau.
Bureau of Bridge Design Mission
Our mission is to support transportation excellence through stewardship of the bridge network that prioritizes safety for the traveling public and the maintenance, preservation, rehabilitation, and replacement of state and municipal bridges in a sustainable and cost effective manner.
Bureau of Bridge Design Strategy
- Design, draft, and develop bridge projects that use both conventional and innovative construction materials and methods to lengthen service life and reduce life cycle costs.
- Develop cost-effective, efficient, safe, and durable bridges that are environmentally and aesthetically sensitive.
- Inspect and evaluate all bridges to comply with state and federal guidelines and to ensure a safe and reliable bridge network.
- Prioritize all bridge actions based on condition, risk, and importance to maximize bridge network health and mobility.
The NHDOT Bridge Management Committee (BMC) has compiled this Annual Report on the Bridge Condition and the Bridge Program. Presented herein are data regarding the condition of all bridges in New Hampshire and the goals and status of the State and Municipal bridge programs.
- 2021 Annual Report - NHDOT Bridge Condition and Bridge Program (December 2021)
- 2022 State Rehabilitation & Replacement Priority List (revised September 2023)
- 2023 State Red List (revised March 2024)
- 2023 Municipal Red List (revised March 2024)
- Executive Order RSA 234:25-b
- 2023 Bridge Summary (revised March 2024)
- Bridge Summary Key
Archived Annual Bridge Reports
- 2020 Annual Report (December 2020)
- 2019 Annual Report (December 2019)
- 2018 Annual Report (December 2018)
- 2017 Annual Report (December 2017)
The overarching goal of the NHDOT Bridge Program is to support “transportation excellence, enhancing the quality of life in New Hampshire” by providing safe and efficient mobility for the movement of goods, people, and services throughout the State by maintaining the bridge inventory in a state of good repair.
- State Red List Ranking Process (June 2018)
- State Rehabilitation and Replacement List Ranking Process (June 2018)
- Definitions of Program Strategies and Terms (July 2018)
- Recommended Investment Strategy (July 2018)
- Recommended Network Funding (July 2018)
- Roadway Tier Definitions
- FY 2021 Programmatics Report
The following information provides a summary pertaining to load limitations imposed on Certified Vehicles crossing posted bridges. For more detailed information, refer to the referenced State Regulations, or you may contact New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles, or the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, Bureau of Bridge Design.
Bridge Manuals
Bridge Drawings
Looking for information relating to bridge design that isn't listed here? Contact Bridge Design at bureau18@dot.nh.gov