sillankunnossapitoa

Sillankunnossapitoa, or bridge maintenance, is the ongoing set of activities aimed at preserving the safety, reliability, and long-term usability of bridges. It encompasses inspections, repairs, preventive measures, and, when necessary, structural strengthening or refurbishment. The term is used in Finland to describe the maintenance of both road and railway bridges within the national and local infrastructure.

Responsibilities and governance typically involve the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency (Väylävirasto) for national roads and railway bridges, with municipalities handling local bridges. Maintenance planning is guided by asset management principles, safety regulations, and standardized inspection schedules to ensure timely interventions and cost-effective use of resources.

The maintenance process usually includes regular inspections at defined intervals, condition assessment using standardized criteria, and prioritization of work based on risk and consequence. Inspections may range from visual checks to non-destructive testing, load testing, and condition monitoring. Data gathered inform maintenance plans, budgeting, and decision-making about repairs, replacements, or reinforcements.

Common tasks in sillankunnossapitoa include cleaning and maintaining drainage systems, repairing concrete deterioration and corrosion protection, repainting structural elements, replacing bearings, sealing decks, repairing or upgrading waterproofing, and, if needed, strengthening the structure with modern materials or retrofits. Climate, weather events, and increasing load demands influence planning and resilience upgrades.

Modern practices increasingly rely on digital tools, drones for inspections, and structural health monitoring to enable risk-based, proactive maintenance and to extend bridge service life.