Act
Amendments to regulations pertaining to bridges – Regulation 104/97
Regulation Number(s):
O.Reg 104/97
O.Reg 472/10
O.Reg 472/10
Instrument Type:
Act
Bill or Act:
Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act
Summary of Decision:
No Comments were received for the proposal. The Regulation was Approved.
Further Information:
Existing O. Reg. 104/97 - Standards for Bridges
O. Reg. 104/97
Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act
Proposal Number:
10-MTO007
Posting Date:
June 4, 2010
Summary of Proposal:
Currently, Regulation 104/97 under the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act (PTHIA) requires the use of the following ministry manuals for the design, evaluation, construction, rehabilitation and inspection of a bridge: Geometric Design Standards for Ontario, Roadside Safety Manual, Structural Manual, Structure Rehabilitation Manual, Ontario Provincial Standards for Roads and Public Works, and the Drainage Management Manual. These manuals represent the Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO) practice regarding bridges and are generally used by consulting engineers in Ontario.
MTO is proposing to amend Regulation 104/97 and remove the requirements for the use of some of these manuals and standards that do not affect public safety. For example, the requirements to use some ministry manuals would be replaced by a requirement to use the most currently accepted engineering standards, guidelines, procedures and practices for bridge design. This may include current Ministry Manuals, other Canadian sources, such as Transportation Association of Canada (TAC), or American sources, such as American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) or Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). However, the manuals that directly impacts the safety of the travelling public, the requirement to use the Ontario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM) and the “Exceptions to the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code” portion of the Structural Manual will be retained in the Regulation due to their importance in ensuring that the safety of the bridges are maintained.
The new requirement will reduce the regulatory burden on municipalities and others with responsibility for bridges, and offer them some flexibility in ensuring that their bridges are built and maintained in a safe condition. Also, the new requirement will ensure that those with responsibility for bridges and their bridge engineers obtain the most current publication, including state-of-the-art information.
MTO proposes to implement these amendments in the summer of 2010.
MTO is proposing to amend Regulation 104/97 and remove the requirements for the use of some of these manuals and standards that do not affect public safety. For example, the requirements to use some ministry manuals would be replaced by a requirement to use the most currently accepted engineering standards, guidelines, procedures and practices for bridge design. This may include current Ministry Manuals, other Canadian sources, such as Transportation Association of Canada (TAC), or American sources, such as American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) or Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). However, the manuals that directly impacts the safety of the travelling public, the requirement to use the Ontario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM) and the “Exceptions to the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code” portion of the Structural Manual will be retained in the Regulation due to their importance in ensuring that the safety of the bridges are maintained.
The new requirement will reduce the regulatory burden on municipalities and others with responsibility for bridges, and offer them some flexibility in ensuring that their bridges are built and maintained in a safe condition. Also, the new requirement will ensure that those with responsibility for bridges and their bridge engineers obtain the most current publication, including state-of-the-art information.
MTO proposes to implement these amendments in the summer of 2010.
Contact Address:
Bridge Office
Highway Standards Branch
301 St. Paul St.
St. Catharines, ON, L2R 7R4
Phone: 905-704-2406
Fax: 905-704-2060
Highway Standards Branch
301 St. Paul St.
St. Catharines, ON, L2R 7R4
Phone: 905-704-2406
Fax: 905-704-2060
Royal Assent Date:
December 6, 2010
Decision:
Approved