FHWA/MoDOT Partnering Agreements

Bridge

April 2011

I. Roles and Responsibilities of MoDOT

Ensure that the Bridge Division performs in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations while implementing MoDOT's Strategic Plan and related Business Plan priorities and goals. For our program area, the following tasks are considered the most important and we will work with FHWA as true partners to ensure success:

• Develop bridge contract plans in accordance with MoDOT's established policies and procedures.
• Extend invitations to FHWA bridge staff to meetings in which they express interest to participate.
• Submit type, size and location (T.S.&L) drawings to FHWA 10 working days prior to expected approval.
• Submit design exceptions I 0 working days prior to expected response.
• Submit bridge plans, specials and estimates (P.S.E.) to Design Division to meet STIP commitment. Design will submit bridge. P.S.E. to FHWA with the complete project P.S.E.
• Maintain National Bridge Inventory (NBI) for Missouri. Submit NBI to FHWA for approval by April 1st each year.
• Works as a partner with Maintenance in the administration of the NBIS.
• MoDOT determines of a bridge project is "Full FHWA Oversight".

II. Roles and Responsibilities of FHWA

Ensure that FHWA's Bridge Program is administered in accordance with federal laws and regulations while implementing FHWA's Performance Plan and required stewardship and oversight. For our program area, the following tasks are considered the most important and we will work with MoDOT as true partners to ensure success:

• Participate in bridge project development activities in coordination with MoDOT's Bridge Office and with FHWA's Transportation Engineers. Provide bridge project review and approval on designated FHWA oversight projects in accordance with the current Oversight Agreement between MoDOT and FHWA.
• Maintain consistent communication with MoDOT's Bridge Division regarding status of oversight projects and identify those that the FHWA bridge staff would like to more fully participate in.
• Review T.S.&L drawings within 10 working days.
• Review design exceptions within 10 working days.
• Review bridge portion of P.S.E. within 5 working days.
• Coordinate the annual submittal of NBI data for Missouri to FHWA HQ by April 1 of each year.
• Perform oversight and review of the National Bridge Inspection Program in Missouri, including the National Bridge Inspection Standards and the
  National Bridge Inventory.

III. Ground Rules

We agree to concentrate efforts in improving our work by following these ground rules:

• We will respect each other by acting professionally and listening to respective points of view.
• We will communicate by the most effective methods available (e.g. phone, e-mail and meetings).
• We will make decisions by mutual agreement whenever possible. When unable to do this, we will elevate to a higher level in accordance with the conflict resolution process.
• We will conduct meetings between MoDOT's State Bridge Engineer and FHWA's Division Bridge Engineer quarterly or semiannually, in order to discuss any items or issues of mutual interest.
• We will collaborate in the annual development of the bridge-related portions of MoDOT's Business Plan and FHWA's Performance Plan.
• We will present a unified voice to internal and external customers. We will discuss matters together before responding to customers.
• We will revisit this partnering agreement annually to determine if changes need to be made.

IV. Conflict Resolution

In case of conflict, we will resolve it at the lowest level by mutual agreement. If we cannot reach a mutual agreement, we agree to elevate the issue in the following manner:

• First, MoDOT's State Bridge Engineer and FHWA's Division Bridge Engineer will meet to discuss and attempt to resolve conflicts that could not be resolved by their staffs.
• Issues unresolved at the first level will be elevated to MoDOT's Director of Project Development and FHWA's Assistant Division Administrator.
• Finally, any issues unresolved at the first or second levels will be elevated to MoDOT's Chief Engineer and FHWA's Division Administrator.

V. Performance Evaluation

We will measure our partnering progress and success by the following performance indicators:

• 90% of projects involving FHWA reviews, approvals and decisions completed within 10 working days of submittal.
• 90% of MoDOT responses to FHWA review comments within 10 working days.
• In addition, we agree to enhance the good working relationship between the two offices by having regular meetings between MoDOT's State Bridge Engineer and FHWA's Division Bridge Engineer. These meetings will serve as a regular opportunity to assess performance and ensure that our offices continue to work well together.

We will measure our bridge program strength by the following measures. These measures will continue to be monitored and reported as indicated. Measures may be added, modified or deleted by mutual agreement through revision to this parterning agreement.

• Number of Deficient Bridges on the State System (Major and Minor Highways)
• Percent of Minor Bridges that are Structurally Deficient
• Percent of Truss Bridges with Gusset Plate Analysis Complete

VI. Communications with Management

We will keep management informed of our activities and how our partnering is working by:

• We agree to regularly inform our immediate supervisors of significant activities in the Bridge area and to provide updates on how this partnering agreement is working.