Ever wonder what it takes to inspect century-old bridges in some of the nation’s most scenic locations?
Since 2005, Volkert has performed inspections under the direction of the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD) of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to inspect the historic bridges found across the National Park System and other federally managed lands. In the latest episode of The Vodcast, host Bryan Bossart trades his desk for the field, joining Volkert’s Bridge Inspection team in Acadia National Park, Maine, for a behind the scenes look at that partnership in action.
The Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division oversees the bridge inspection program across federally managed lands, while the National Park Service cares for the parks themselves, from the roadways and trails to the historic bridges that carry visitors through them. Volkert has served as a bridge and tunnel inspection consultant for FHWA/EFLHD since 2005, supporting inspection efforts across national parks, monuments, and other federally managed sites.
Featuring insights from team members Aaron Immel, PE, CBI, CTI and Paul Swann, CBI, CTI, the episode offers a firsthand look at the work that goes into these inspections and the role they play in a shared mission to protect federal lands.
Watch the Full Episode Here
Watch the latest episode of The Vodcast to head into the field with our Bridge Inspection team.
Working Around the Tides
From early morning safety briefings to hands-on inspection work, this episode highlights the expertise, dedication, and teamwork required in the field. It all plays out along the rugged Maine coast.
The field conditions add their own challenge. Several bridges sit low enough that they can only be reached at low tide, so the crew tracks the water line and times each inspection to the hour. When the tide or the weather does not cooperate, they move on and circle back the next day. Rain or shine, the work gets done.
Supporting Federal Lands Infrastructure
Through its long-standing partnership with FHWA/EFLHD, Volkert performs inspections on a wide range of structures across the National Park System and other federal facilities. These efforts help identify structural needs, support maintenance planning, and ensure safe and reliable infrastructure for public use.
Careful inspection is what keeps these structures in service. Projects like the historic bridge inspections in Acadia demonstrate the importance of collaboration between federal partners and engineering teams working in complex and highly visible environments.
Delivering Excellence in the Field
At the core of this work are the people who make it possible. Aaron Immel and Paul Swann share their experiences in the field, from the technical detail of each inspection to the reward of working in some of the country’s most beautiful places. Their work reflects Volkert’s ongoing commitment to delivering quality solutions wherever the job takes us.