TWIN FALLS, Idaho — The Idaho Transportation department (ITD) is conducting a two-year under bridge inspection of Perrine Bridge.
The focus for the bridge inspection is to detect fracture critical elements as the bridge is worn down from year-to-year. ITD is in charge of inspecting all bridges around the state of Idaho and keep most bridge inspection on a two to four year rotation.
Perrine bridge is one of the most important pieces of infrastructure in the state and ITD knows the value it holds in the magic valley.
“The Perrine bridge is world famous but it's also a bridge that’s really important to the community members and the magic valley area and really all of the south-central Idaho region,” said Jessica Williams, PIO for ITD.
The trucks used for these operations are called UBIT's ( under bridge inspection trucks) and the model used on Perrine Bridge has a 62-foot reach.
“It really allows us to inspect all areas of a bridge that previously we wouldn’t be able to see as easily if we didn’t have this truck,” said Williams.
Jim Holland has worked with ITD for 35 years and inspected hundreds of bridges across Idaho. Seeing Idaho's infrastructure from this death defying view, Holland says Perrine is a one of a kind bridge.
“It is one of the funner bridges to inspect. There’s so much detail to that, driving across you just don’t realize what is there holding you up,” said Holland.
ITD and their UBIT's are scheduled to inspect over 125 bridges this calendar year.
