Bridges are eligible for repair or replacement under the Public Assistance Program, unless they are on a Federal-Aid Road (see Federal-Aid Roads). Eligible work includes  repairs  to decking,  guardrails, girders,  pavement, abutments, piers, slope protection, and approaches. Only repairs of disaster- related damage are eligible. In some cases, FEMA may use pre-disaster bridge inspection reports to determine if damage  to a bridge  was present before the disaster.

Work to repair scour or erosion damage to the channel and stream banks is eligible if the repair  is necessary to ensure the structural integrity  of the bridge. Earthwork  that is not related to the structural integrity of the bridge is not eligible (see Landslides).

Work to remove debris, such as fallen trees, from the channel at the bridge is eligible if the debris could cause further damage to the structure or if the blockage could cause flood waters to inundate nearby homes, businesses, or other facilities (see Debris Removal).

When replacement of a damaged bridge  is warranted, eligible work may include upgrades necessary to meet  current standards for road  and bridge construction, as defined by the  State or local highway department (see Codes and Standards). Typical standards affect lane width, loading  design, construction materials,  and  hydraulic  capacity. If code requires, and  if the applicant has consistently implemented that code, FEMA will permit changes in the bridge design from one lane to two lanes to include access modification for a short distance (i.e., within area of damage). This does not apply to other expansions of capacity (e.g., from two lanes to four lanes).

Permanent restoration of a bridge  that  falls under the authority of the Federal  Highway Administration is not  eligible  for public  assistance (see Federal-Aid Roads).

Bridges are  eligible for repair or replacement under the Public Assistance Program,  unless they are on a Federal-Aid Road (see Federal-Aid  Roads). Eligible work includes repairs to decking,  guardrails, girders, pavement, abutments, piers, slope protection, and  approaches. Only repairs of disaster- related damage are eligible. In some  cases, FEMA may use pre-disaster bridge inspection reports to determine if  damage to a bridge was present before the disaster.
   Work to repair scour or erosion damage to the  channel and stream banks is eligible if the repair is necessary to ensure the  structural integrity of the bridge. Earthwork that is not related to the  structural integrity of the bridge is not eligible (see Landslides).
   Work to remove debris, such as fallen trees,  from the channel at the bridge is eligible if the debris could cause further  damage to the structure or if the blockage could cause flood waters to  inundate nearby homes, businesses, or other facilities (see Debris Removal).
   When replacement of a damaged bridge is  warranted, eligible work may include upgrades necessary to meet current  standards for road and bridge construction, as defined by the State or local  highway department (see Codes and Standards). Typical standards affect lane width, loading design,  construction materials, and hydraulic capacity. If code requires, and if the  applicant has consistently implemented that code, FEMA will permit changes in  the bridge design from one lane to two lanes to include access modification  for a short distance (i.e., within area of damage). This does not apply to  other expansions of capacity (e.g., from two lanes to four lanes).
   Permanent restoration of a bridge that falls  under the authority of the Federal Highway Administration is not eligible for  public assistance (see Federal-Aid Roads).
   References:   Section 102(9) of the Stafford Act
   44 CFR §206.221(h) and §206.226(a) and (d)
   Public Assistance Guide, FEMA 322, pages 25,  79-82

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