[jessduntno]

“Bridge inspections are frequently conducted by folks having nothing whatsoever to do with bridges or DOT”.

Who? Random, state by state, based on jurisdiction? All of the above?

[muawiyah]

There are ENGINEERS and BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS RESEARCHERS who are sufficiently trained that they can be brought in to inspect specific characteristics of riverine environments as well as the structures thereon ~ for instance, you can bring in fresh water biologists to check wear rates on rock supporting or surrounding pilings. You can use any civil engineer to check a crack. You can use any structural engineer to do a test on concrete to see if it's still physically intact.

A surveyor can see if the bridge is still upright!

When your bridge has been whacked by a river barge (ever see one of those ~ they're huge) I am sure astute politicians make sure the potential inspectors are ready to jump on top of it.

[SpeakLittle_ThinkMuch]

Correct, “all of the above”. Many are independent subs that have little or no training.

I have a friend who is a “bridge inspector”. $10.00 an hour and he worked as a janitor before that.