19 V.S.A. § 1514: Bridge inspection; posting; closure

(a) Definition. As used in this section, “bridge” means a structure to which the National Bridge Inspection Standards apply pursuant to 23 C.F.R. § 650.303.

(b) Bridge inspections. The Agency shall inspect bridges on State highways and town highways in accordance with the requirements of the National Bridge Inspection Standards.

(c) Municipally maintained bridges.

(1) For a bridge for which a municipality has maintenance responsibility, the Agency shall advise the municipality of its inspection findings and any noted deficiencies.

(2) The Agency shall notify a municipality if a bridge for which the municipality has maintenance responsibility requires posting or closure and, upon receiving notification, the municipality shall post or close the bridge, as appropriate.

(3) If necessary to protect the public from an imminent hazard, the Agency may post or close a bridge for which a municipality has maintenance responsibility.

(4) A municipality shall be responsible for all costs and expenses related to the posting or closure of a bridge for which it has maintenance responsibility, including the costs of any required notifications, procedures, signage or traffic control devices, and barricades.

(d) Agency-maintained bridges.

(1) For any bridge for which the Agency has maintenance responsibility, the Agency shall have the sole responsibility and authority to determine whether the bridge shall be posted or closed, except that a municipality may close an Agency-maintained bridge during an emergency.

(2) If a municipality becomes aware of any deficiencies or structural conditions that could impact the Agency’s determination of whether to post or close a bridge, the municipality shall promptly notify the Agency.

(3) The Agency shall be responsible for all costs and expenses associated with posting or closing an Agency-maintained bridge, including any required notifications, procedures, signage or traffic control devices, and barricades.

(e) Enforcement and penalties. In addition to any other penalties provided by law, a person that violates a bridge posting or closure by a municipality or the Agency shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000.00.