Understanding DOT Emergency Design
How GBA Responds When Time Matters Most
When transportation infrastructure fails unexpectedly, whether from vehicle impact, structural defect or sudden degradation, there’s no time for a traditional design schedule. Departments of Transportation (DOTs) rely on experienced engineering partners like GBA to act fast, assess the situation and deliver emergency-ready designs to restore public safety and mobility.
GBA has supported DOTs through countless emergency situations, including damaged bridges and sign structures. Our work begins the moment we’re called and continues until traffic is moving safely again.
What Triggers Emergency Design?
DOT emergency design is typically activated by incidents that compromise the safety or functionality of roadways, bridges or other structures. These aren’t routine maintenance issues—they’re immediate threats that disrupt traffic or pose danger to the public.
Common scenarios include:
- Vehicle impacts to bridge girders or sign structures
- Structural failures that risk collapse
- Damage from oversized loads or improper vehicle operation
When a bridge or structure is impacted, such as when a truck strikes a girder, the first response often comes from law enforcement or DOT field personnel. The affected area is closed to traffic, and DOT engineers assess the damage. If it’s determined that a full or partial closure is necessary for public safety, DOTs initiate their emergency design response protocols.
GBA’s Role in Emergency Situations
GBA is listed on several DOT on-call contracts, which means we’re often the first call after a critical issue is identified. The request usually comes in fast, stating the immediate need for either a temporary fix or full replacement.
Our engineers mobilize quickly. The process typically includes:
- Initial Briefing: We receive a summary of the incident, including photos of the damage, location and relevant existing plans.
- Assessment: Our team reviews structural drawings, analyzes impact areas and determines the safest and fastest path to restoration.
- Design Development: We develop repair or replacement plans, traffic control layouts and any required demolition sequences.
- Delivery: Depending on the severity and urgency of the situation, plans are delivered within weeks or sometimes within days.
Once our plans are submitted, DOTs move swiftly to assign work to one of their on-call contractors. From incident to boots on the ground, the full process is often completed within 30 days, a compressed schedule by any standard.
A Closer Look: Emergency Bridge Repair in Southwest Missouri
One recent example involved a bridge in the Springfield, Missouri, area. A dump truck traveling at highway speed struck a prestressed concrete girder while its bed was still raised. The impact blew out the lower flange of the girder and severed two critical prestressing strands, an immediate concern to the overall structure.
Prestressed girders rely on internal tensioned cables to support loads. Severing those cables can drastically reduce capacity and lead to structural collapse. Recognizing the severity of the situation, MoDOT closed the bridge and reached out to GBA.
Our team responded by:
- Reviewing damage photos and original bridge plans
- Developing demolition plans to remove both the deck and damaged girder
- Designing a replacement girder and restoration of the bridge to full capacity
- Creating traffic control plans to redirect vehicles during the repair process
Despite the project’s complexity, our structural and traffic teams delivered a complete package quickly, enabling construction crews to begin work within weeks.
Varying Priorities Based on Traffic Volume
Not every emergency design project is treated equally. Prioritization is largely determined by traffic volume and the structure’s role in the regional transportation network.
For instance, about 4,500 vehicles travel on the Springfield bridge every day. Compare that to a similar incident GBA handled in the St. Louis area, where a bridge carrying I-270—Missouri’s busiest corridor with over 200,000 vehicles per day—was compromised. That repair was a high-urgency effort with significant public impact. GBA’s engineers worked long hours to meet the aggressive timeline.
When a major interstate is affected, DOTs want the issue resolved quickly. The difference in response urgency is shaped by:
- Daily traffic volume
- Detour availability and length
- Structural integrity and potential failure risks
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Emergency design efforts draw in expertise from multiple disciplines. Structural engineers may lead the initial response, but traffic engineers are critical in managing detours and safety during construction. Occasionally, other specialties, such as geotechnical or roadway design, are involved if the situation requires a more holistic solution.
At GBA, our teams are integrated and collaborative. When we’re called to assist, we activate the right people quickly.
Why Experience Matters in Emergency Design
Emergency response isn’t just about speed—it’s about knowing how to work fast without sacrificing quality. There’s no margin for error when public safety is at stake.
Our team’s familiarity with DOT procedures, structure types and contractor capabilities allow us to anticipate needs and eliminate delays. We know how to:
- Quickly interpret field conditions
- Determine feasible repair strategies
- Communicate effectively with DOTs and contractors
- Deliver designs that are buildable and code-compliant under pressure
We’ve built these skills over years of project experience, and we bring them to every emergency design request. Our emergency design capabilities are an extension of our deep commitment to responsive service and technical excellence.
