Emergency Monitoring of Bridge Closed Due to Settlement

BDI was engaged by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to support emergency monitoring efforts at the Route 644 bridge over the Meherrin River in Brunswick County, VA. The bridge had been closed due to settlement at its central pier, possibly due to scour, which prompted the need for real-time tracking of structural movement during repairs and after the structure was reopened to traffic.

To address this, BDI designed and installed a remote monitoring system centered around an Automated Total Station (ATS) to automatically perform surveys of the structure throughout the monitoring period. The system tracked the position of survey prisms mounted on the bridge, allowing engineers to detect even small shifts in alignment over time. The system was solar-powered and communicated via cellular network, enabling fully automated data collection without the need for on-site personnel.

BDI coordinated with VDOT to plan the installation, including the design of mounting pedestals and prism anchors. Once installed, the system was calibrated and tested to ensure accurate performance. Data was presented through a secure web-based platform, which included automated alerts and visual summaries of movement trends.

This monitoring solution gave VDOT a reliable way to observe the bridge’s behavior during a critical period and supported informed decisions about repair effectiveness and public safety.

BDI was proud to contribute to the safe management of Virginia’s infrastructure through responsive, data-driven solutions.