Bridges, highways, tunnels, and other transportation infrastructure across New York State can contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). Cities such as Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany have roadway structures that regularly test positive for the infamous mineral. Although asbestos use has declined substantially in recent years, countless materials that were installed decades ago remain in place today. They may become a concern during bridge rehabilitation, roadway reconstruction, demolition, or maintenance.
Understanding the types of asbestos commonly found in these systems is important for owners, contractors, engineers, and environmental professionals. Identifying asbestos-containing materials before work begins can help protect workers, comply with applicable regulations, and prevent the accidental release of asbestos fibers.
Why Was Asbestos Used in Bridges and Roadways?
Asbestos was valued for its exceptional heat resistance, durability, chemical resistance, and insulating properties. It could also be incorporated into cement, asphalt, plastics, coatings, insulation, and other products.
Transportation infrastructure presented numerous applications for these characteristics. Bridges and roadways contain components exposed to vibration, weather, friction, heat, and mechanical stress—all environments in which asbestos-containing materials were historically used.
Common asbestos applications include bridge expansion joints, bearing pads, asphaltic materials, concrete products, electrical components, fireproofing, insulation, gaskets, and coatings.
The presence of asbestos does not necessarily mean that a material presents an immediate health hazard. The primary concern is the potential for asbestos fibers to become airborne when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed.
Asbestos in Bridge Expansion Joints
One of the most important asbestos-related concerns during bridge rehabilitation is the potential presence of asbestos in expansion joints.
Expansion joints allow bridges to accommodate thermal expansion, contraction, traffic movement, and structural movement. Older expansion-joint systems may incorporate asbestos-containing gaskets, seals, packing, fillers, or other components.
When expansion joints are removed, cut, ground, or demolished, workers may be exposed to asbestos fibers if ACMs are present.
Bridge renovation projects should therefore consider the age and construction history of expansion-joint systems when developing an asbestos survey or hazardous-material assessment.
Asbestos in Bridge Bearing Components
Bridge bearings transfer loads between structural components while allowing controlled movement. Some older bearing systems and associated materials may contain asbestos.
Potential asbestos-containing components can include bearing pads, gaskets, shims, insulating materials, and other friction or cushioning materials.
These materials can be difficult to identify visually because asbestos may be incorporated into rubber-like, composite, or cementitious products.
Asbestos-Containing Cement Products
Asbestos cement was widely used because asbestos fibers could reinforce cement and improve its durability.
Transportation infrastructure may contain asbestos cement in products such as:
- Utility pipes
- Drainage components
- Conduits
- Panels
- Bridge-related components
- Older roadway drainage systems
Asbestos-cement products are generally considered non-friable when intact. However, cutting, drilling, grinding, breaking, or abrasive demolition can release asbestos fibers.
This distinction is important because a material that appears solid and stable can still become an exposure concern when construction activities mechanically disturb it.
Asbestos in Asphalt and Roadway Materials
Older roadways may contain asbestos in certain asphalt-based materials, paving products, or repair materials.
Historically, asbestos was sometimes incorporated into asphalt products to improve durability, strength, heat resistance, or other performance characteristics.
Potentially suspect materials can include older roofing and paving-related products, asphaltic compounds, and certain repair materials.
Because roadway materials can contain a mixture of aggregates, binders, and other additives, visual inspection alone generally cannot determine whether asbestos is present.
Asbestos-Containing Gaskets, Packing, and Mechanical Components
Bridges frequently contain mechanical and utility systems that may use gaskets, packing, valves, and other components.
Historically, asbestos was widely incorporated into these products because it could withstand heat, pressure, friction, and chemical exposure.
Asbestos-containing gaskets and packing may be encountered around:
- Water lines
- Steam systems
- Utility connections
- Pumps
- Valves
- Mechanical equipment
- Drainage systems
These materials may become a concern when equipment is dismantled or repaired.
Asbestos in Paints, Coatings, and Mastics
Some older paints, protective coatings, mastics, and sealants may contain asbestos or may be associated with other asbestos-containing materials.
Bridge maintenance often involves surface preparation, coating removal, abrasive blasting, grinding, or other activities that can disturb old materials.
Before performing aggressive surface preparation on older infrastructure, project teams should evaluate whether asbestos-containing coatings or underlying materials could be present.
Why Asbestos Testing Is Important Before Bridge Work
The presence of asbestos cannot reliably be determined by appearance alone. Two materials can look virtually identical while one contains asbestos and the other does not.
For this reason, an appropriate asbestos inspection and sampling program should be considered before renovation, demolition, repair, or maintenance activities that could disturb suspect materials. Testing for asbestos is the surest way to know what you’re dealing with.
A qualified asbestos professional can evaluate accessible materials, identify homogeneous areas, collect representative samples where appropriate, and coordinate laboratory analysis.
Testing can be particularly important before activities such as:
- Bridge demolition
- Expansion-joint replacement
- Bearing replacement
- Concrete cutting
- Drilling
- Saw cutting
- Grinding
- Utility replacement
- Roadway reconstruction
- Milling
- Pavement removal
What Happens If Asbestos Is Found?
If testing reveals the presence of asbestos, it not necessarily mean that a project must stop. The appropriate response depends on the material, its condition, the planned work, applicable regulations, and the potential for fiber release.
Options may include leaving an intact material undisturbed, incorporating appropriate work practices, or having asbestos-containing materials removed or otherwise addressed by qualified abatement professionals before construction proceeds.
For larger transportation projects, asbestos testing and abatement considerations should be incorporated into the project planning process rather than discovered after construction has begun.
Protecting Workers During Bridge and Roadway Projects
Asbestos exposure is primarily an occupational concern when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed and fibers become airborne. Workers involved in demolition, cutting, grinding, maintenance, and rehabilitation can potentially encounter asbestos without realizing it is present.
A proactive approach begins with identifying suspect materials before work starts. Depending on the project, this may involve reviewing historical records, conducting an asbestos inspection, collecting samples, obtaining laboratory analysis, and developing appropriate specifications and controls.
How AEG Can Help
AEG’s inspection personnel includes seven NYSDOL-certified asbestos inspectors and abatement project monitors across our Rochester and Syracuse offices. We also have three certified project designers to help draw up abatement specifications or site-specific variances to NYS Code Rule 56.
Our asbestos staff service the following areas and beyond: Buffalo, Jamestown, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Batavia, Geneva, Ithaca, Binghamton, Syracuse, Auburn, Watertown, Utica, Albany, and Poughkeepsie.\