Bridge Condition Index (BCI)

All bridges have a natural life span. To keep bridges in a safe condition, maintenance and upkeep are scheduled based on inspection results, age, location and the type of bridge. The Ministry strategically schedules bridge maintenance to ensure that repairs and upkeep are done at the most optimal time. This allows the Ministry to ensure that bridges are safe for their entire lifespan, and that the money for repairs is wisely spent.

In addition to regular and yearly inspections, every bridge in Ontario must undergo a rigorous inspection every two years by a trained inspector who is either a professional engineer or under their direction. The inspector reviews and rates each bridge component. These ratings are used in determining the bridge’s current value.

The BCI rating is a planning tool that helps the Ministry schedule maintenance and upkeep. The BCI is not used to rate or indicate the safety of a bridge.

The result is organized into ranges from 0 to 100. Immediate action is taken to address any safety concerns.

Good - BCI Range 70 -100
For a bridge with a BCI greater than 70, maintenance work is not usually required within the next five years.

Fair - BCI Range 60 -70
For a bridge with a BCI between 60 and 70 the maintenance work is usually scheduled within the next five years.  This is the ideal time to schedule major bridge repairs from an economic perspective.

Poor - BCI Less than 60
For a bridge with a BCI rating of less than 60, maintenance work is usually scheduled within approximately one year.

To calculate the BCI rating, the current value is divided by the replacement cost of the bridge. The replacement value is based on the cost to reconstruct a new bridge. 

For example:
Current value = $700,000
Replacement cost = $1,000,000

BCI     =          Current Value        x  100
                       Replacement Cost
           =         700,000           x 100
                       1,000,000
           =         70