Bridge Quality Preservation 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 Quality Preservation Act 2. Corrosion prevention for bridges (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Applicable bridge project The term applicable bridge project (A) a bridge project that receives financial assistance under title 23, United States Code; or (B) a project for a railroad bridge (as defined in section 237.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)) that receives financial assistance under title 49, United States Code. (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— (i) registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the National Apprenticeship Act 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq. (ii) that meets the standards of subpart A of part 29 and part 30 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). (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) include— (A) surface preparation or coating application on steel, concrete, or rebar of an applicable bridge project; (B) removal of a lead-based or other hazardous coating from steel or concrete 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, the entity carrying out the project shall— (A) implement a corrosion management system that utilizes industry-recognized standards and corrosion mitigation and prevention methods to address different considerations, including— (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 a successor standard). (4) Certification For an applicable bridge project that includes an aspect described in paragraph (2), the entity carrying out the project shall only accept bids from a certified contractor that presents written proof that the certification of the contractor meets the relevant SSPC–QP standards (or a successor standard). (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 described in subsection (b)(2). 3. Availability of Federal grant funding for corrosion control work on rail bridges Section 22402(b)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subparagraph (E), by striking or (2) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (G); and (3) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following: (F) to perform corrosion control work on rail bridges; or . 4. Study on efficacy of weathering steel (a) Findings Congress finds that— (1) weathering steel is often used for bridge construction projects because of its ability to withstand weather conditions better than other forms of steel; (2) the recent collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in January 2022 highlights the real threat that corrosion poses to the bridges of the United States; (3) more research is needed into the vulnerabilities of weathering steel; and (4) States and units of local government need more information on when and how to address the risk of corrosion to weathering steel. (b) Study Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall— (1) carry out a study on best practices for— (A) the frequency and method of inspecting corrosion on weathering steel bridges; and (B) addressing corrosion on weathering steel bridges; (2) submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the results of the study under paragraph (1); and (3) make the report under paragraph (2) available to State departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations (as defined in section 134(b) of title 23, United States Code), regional transportation planning organizations (as defined in that section), and units of local government that own bridge assets.

Summary: Bridge Quality Preservation Act This bill establishes certain requirements to address corrosion control in bridge and railroad-bridge projects that receive federal assistance. Specifically, certified contractors must employ a substantial number of individuals who are certified by a qualified training program in corrosion control, mitigation, and prevention in order to work on certain aspects of bridge project activities. A certified contractor must also provide training for any non-certified coating applicators employed by the contractor to work on a project. The bill further requires bridge projects to implement a corrosion management system that utilizes industry-recognized standards and corrosion mitigation and prevention methods for construction, repair, and maintenance projects. In addition, the bill expands the scope of the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program to include corrosion control work on rail bridges. (This program provides direct loans and loan guarantees for the development of railroad infrastructure.) The bill also requires the Department of Transportation to study best practices for inspecting and addressing corrosion on weathering steel bridges. This report must be made available to state and local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and regional organizations.