MassDOT Supplemental Coding Guide for
Bridge Inspection Questions and Correct
Answers/ Latest Update / Already Graded
Bridge Number (BDEPT#)
Ans: The Bridge Number is used to identify and catalog by
city/town a specific crossing of a transportation facility over a
depression or obstruction(s) by means of a bridge structure(s).
Bridge Key # (BRKEY)
Ans: The Bridge Key # is no longer used and is referenced here
for historical purposes. The Bridge Key # was discontinued in
February 2001 when the current coding for Item 8 was
implemented.
BIN (Bridge Identification Number)
Ans: A BIN is used to uniquely identify a specific bridge
structure that exists or has existed at some time in the past.
Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) Code
Ans: This information is taken from the current version of The
Census of Population and Housing - Geographic Identification
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Scheme, which applies a numbering system to States, Counties,
City(ies)/Town(s), and streets nationwide.
Strategic Highway Corridor Network (STRAHNET)
Ans: A system of highways which are strategically important t o
the defense of the United States.
STRAHNET
Ans: Strategic Highway Corridor Network as detailed in the
Military Traffic Management Command Report SE 89-4b-27.
Survey Convention
Ans: Historically, for surveys made in Massachusetts, baseli nes
run from West to East, and South to North.
Orientation
Ans: Orientation will depend on the terminations of the road,
for example, the orientation of I-495 is South/North.
Primary Record
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Ans: The bridge inventory record where all appli cable NBI data
items are coded with respect to the structure and the inventory
route on it.
Secondary Record
Ans: Only certain NBI data items need to be coded for a
secondary record, but all route-oriented data is coded with
respect to the route under the bridge.
Town Line Bridge
Ans: A bridge that spans over a city/town boundary, cataloged
by town with multiple BDEPT#'s written as an equation.
BDEPT#
Ans: Bridge Number assigned to a bridge structure for
identification.
BIN
Ans: Bridge Identification Number assigned to a bridge
structure for identification.
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Realigned road
Ans: A segment of new road which starts and ends on the same
road that the existing bridge is on.
Relocated road
Ans: A segment of new road which starts on but does not end
on the same road that the existing bridge is on.
Proposed Deck Replacement
Ans: Where all deck elements are replaced and main load
carrying superstructure elements and all substructure elements
are retained with retrofits, if required, to meet current code
requirements.
Bridge Number Request Process
Ans: Initiated when a Bridge Number / BIN Request Form is
filled out by an authorized requesting party and submitted to
the State Bridge Engineer.
Bridge Structure Inventory
Ans: An existing bridge structure with a span of 4 ft (1.2 m) or
greater that has not been previously inventoried.
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