Atlanta Emergency Flood Bridge Inspections

In September 2009, rain started falling in the Atlanta area and didn’t stop for days, far exceeding the 100-year flood mark. Many area bridges and drainage structures were damaged by the flooding. Damage included large amounts of debris, scour and erosion, structural damage due to impact, and actual failure caused by water velocity.

The City of Atlanta had 85 bridges and 130 culverts that needed inspecting fast. Emergency inspections were an essential first step to getting aid and resources to flood-affected areas. Ayres contacted the City, offering our services in conducting these inspections. Within two hours, contracts were being written, staff schedules for the week were being shuffled, and inspectors from several offices were on their way to Atlanta. The inspections started after noon on Monday, September 28. By Friday afternoon, October 2, Ayres delivered a complete set of reports to the City.

The City was impressed not only with the speed and efficiency of our work, but also with the quality. Michael Ayo, principal engineer for the City’s Department of Public Works, had expected excuses on Friday afternoon, and instead he got professional documents complete with CADD drawings and hundreds of photos.

• Rick Maslyn, Supervisor - Structural Inspection

• Damage Assessment & Emergency Response
• Scour Evaluations & Countermeasures