Ever Wonder How the Maine DOT Performs Bridge Inspections?

Earlier this week, the Memorial Bridge in Augusta (that's the big bridge) was partially closed so that the Maine Department of Transportation could perform an inspection of the bridge.

Have you ever wondered how they perform a bridge inspection?

Of course, for smaller bridges, they walk the deck of the bridge and then take a boat (or walk) under the bridge in order to inspect the underside.

But, what about the state's bigger bridges?

Yes, some bigger bridges have catwalks that run under the bridge, allowing workers access to the underside of the underside of the bridge.  They also, apparently, have a specialized bucket truck that allows them to look under the bridges.  Instead of just lifting workers up, it also allows them to be lowered below the deck of a bridge.

Check it out video of this bad boy in action HERE

Learn more about what the Maine DOT is up to HERE

I'll be honest, when I first saw this thing in action, I did not know what I was seeing.  I was driving down Winthrop Street Hill in Augusta and thought that it was a crash.  I thought that a bucket truck crossing the bridge had crashed and was half falling off the bridge.  I was relieved when I got close enough to see that it was just a work crew.

Have you ever seen something like this in action?  Feel free to share your pictures of this machine (or any others) using our app.