The primary goal of this project is to analyze motor vehicle bridges that were damaged or collapsed during Hurricane Maria. The specific objectives of the project are:

• develop an inventory of bridges that experienced damages or collapsed
• determine the causes of failure
• suggest improvements to design and construction of motor vehicle bridges to avoid or reduce the risk of damage in future hurricanes

The study aims to raise awareness of potential issues relating to the design, construction, and maintenance procedures for motor vehicle bridges in Puerto Rico. We expect that the DOT and FHWA in Puerto Rico will use the results to formulate measures that will protect the structural elements of motor vehicle bridges from the impacts associated with extreme weather events.