Bridge Corrosion Prevention and Repair Act

To require that certain aspects of bridge projects be carried out by certified contractors, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Bridge Corrosion Prevention and Repair Act 2. Corrosion prevention for bridges (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Applicable bridge projects The term applicable bridge projects (2) Certified Contractor The term certified contractor (3) Qualified training program The term qualified training program (A) offered or accredited by an organization that sets industry corrosion standards; or (B) an industrial coatings applicator training program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 ( 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq. National Apprenticeship Act (b) Applicable Bridge Projects (1) Quality control A certified contractor shall carry out aspects of an applicable bridge project described in paragraph (2). (2) Aspects of applicable bridge projects Aspects of an applicable bridge project referred to in paragraph (1) shall include— (A) surface preparation or coating application on steel or rebar of an applicable bridge project; (B) removal of a lead-based or other hazardous coating from steel of an existing applicable bridge project; and (C) shop painting of structural steel or rebar fabricated for installation on an applicable bridge project. (3) Corrosion management system In carrying out an applicable bridge project, a State department of transportation shall— (A) implement a corrosion management system that utilizes industry-recognized standards and corrosion mitigation and prevention methods to address— (i) surface preparation; (ii) protective coatings; (iii) materials selection; (iv) cathodic protection; (v) corrosion engineering; (vi) personnel training; and (vii) best practices in environmental protection to prevent environmental degradation and uphold public health; and (B) require certified contractors, for the purpose of carrying out aspects of applicable bridge projects described in paragraph (2), to employ a substantial number of individuals that are trained and certified by a qualified training program as meeting the ANSI/NACE Number 13/SSPC–ACS–1 standard or future versions of this standard. (4) Certification The applicable State department of transportation shall only accept bids for projects that include aspects of applicable bridge projects described in paragraph (2) from a certified contractor that presents written proof that the certification of such contractor meets the relevant SSPC–QP standards or future versions of these standards. (c) Training program As a condition of entering into a contract for an applicable bridge project, each certified contractor shall provide training for each individual who is not a certified coating applicator but that the certified contractor employs to carry out aspects of applicable bridge projects as described in subsection (b)(2).

Summary: Bridge Corrosion Prevention and Repair Act This bill requires states to implement a corrosion management system that utilizes industry-recognized standards and corrosion mitigation and prevention methods for bridge construction, repair, and maintenance projects that receive federal assistance. It also requires certain aspects of the bridge projects to be carried out by certified contractors that provide appropriate training for their employees.