Navigating the process of renting an underbridge inspection truck can be daunting, especially when it comes to pinpointing the equipment that perfectly suits your needs.
On the other hand, if you’re a seasoned professional in bridge inspections and have rented such trucks frequently, this process might already feel like a familiar routine.
Underbridge Inspection Trucks: Crucial Tools for Contractors and Departments of Transportation
Bridge inspections demand specialized equipment due to the unique structure and accessibility challenges of bridges. For most cases, this involves utilizing either truck-mounted or trailer-mounted bridge inspection vehicles to conduct effective visual and “hands-on” inspections.
To put things into perspective, the Federal Highway Administration outlines height requirements for different roadways. Since 2005, interstate highways must have a minimum clearance of 16 feet across the full width of the roadway, including shoulders. Meanwhile, freeways and arterial roads require clearances between 14 and 16 feet, while local and collector roads must meet a minimum of 14 feet.
And these are considered the “easy” bridges to inspect.
In the United States, there are nearly 170 bridges with deck heights exceeding 130 feet, many of which span over waterways. The tallest among them is the iconic Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado, towering 955 feet above the Arkansas River.
While most bridge inspections don’t take place at such dizzying heights, there are hundreds—if not thousands—of bridges with ground or water clearances that far surpass the standard minimum of 14 to 16 feet.
Securing Underbridge Access Made Simple with an Inspection Truck Rental
For instance, a recent report from Covington, Kentucky highlighted that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) announced traffic delays and adjustments to travel patterns on the Brent Spence Bridge, which connects Kentucky and Ohio over the Ohio River.
The report stated: “As work progresses, inspectors are onsite daily, inspecting the steel structure to ensure the current work is performed to KYTC standards and that the bridge is in quality condition.”
This iconic bridge, with four traffic lanes on both its upper and lower decks, rises 272 feet above the river. Due to its location over a waterway, all underbridge inspection tasks must be conducted from the bridge deck itself, requiring the use of specialized underbridge inspection units, most commonly truck-mounted types.
For underbridge access on structures less than 70 feet in height or those situated over non-active roadways, aerial boom lifts may serve as a suitable alternative. However, for most bridge inspection, maintenance, and repair tasks, underbridge inspection trucks remain the preferred equipment.
Bridge Inspection Truck Options from McClain & Co., Inc.
McClain & Co., Inc. offers a selection of sixteen underbridge access units, available in both truck-mounted and trailer-mounted configurations. These range from a powerful truck-mounted articulated boom UBIU (underbridge inspection unit) with a horizontal reach of up to 75 feet, to a versatile trailer-mounted unit featuring a 24-foot underbridge reach.
To meet your project needs, we provide both truck and trailer-mounted UBIUs equipped with either a two- or three-person bucket or an extended platform. It’s important to consider not only the horizontal underbridge reach but also the vertical or lowering depth required for your task.
For bridge inspection purposes, another key factor is the ability of the unit to position its platform or bucket at various points beneath the bridge deck. Some units require repositioning along the bridge deck for different work areas, while others allow their platforms or buckets to rotate 180 degrees. Additionally, these UBIUs must be capable of raising the bucket or platform over bridge railings, fencing, and even across catwalks or sidewalks to ensure optimal access.
Bridge Inspection Truck Rental Requirements with McClain and Company
Our bridge inspection truck rental typically includes one of our skilled McClain operators, who serves as the CDL/DOT-approved driver for the unit. Additionally, we provide a trained and certified topside operator for the UBIU. This rental option requires your company to provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) with specific coverage details.
Understanding that many seasoned inspectors, engineers, and contractors prefer to manage under-bridge operations independently, we offer flexible rental options tailored to different experience levels and insurance coverage requirements.
Please note that for all rental options, McClain & Co., Inc. mandates a Certificate of Insurance (COI). The COI must include your company’s General Liability and Automobile Liability coverage, specifically:
- Full comprehensive coverage
- Collision coverage
- Liability coverage
In addition, the COI must also include your company’s Workers’ Compensation and Professional Liability coverage. Furthermore, the COI should list McClain & Co., Inc. as an additional insured and loss payee in the description box.
This maintains all your original details while making the language more concise and professional. Let me know if you’d like any further tweaks!
McClain & Co., Inc. – Your Best Source for Bridge Inspection Truck Rental
We believe that not only is customer service our utmost priority, but that everything we do involves service to our customers. Everyone here at McClain & Co., Inc. firmly believes that your success is our success, which is why our number one goal is to help you successfully complete your project.
If you have questions about our extensive underbridge inspection truck rental services, or just want to learn more about bridge inspection truck rentals and sales in the Culpeper, Virginia area, you can reach out to McClain & Co., Inc., by calling us at 1-888-889-1284, or email us at [email protected].