H.R. 4170 — Bridge Corrosion Prevention and Repair Act of 2025

This section establishes corrosion prevention requirements for applicable bridge projects—defined as construction, replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, or protection (other than de minimis work, as determined by the project sponsor) on a bridge receiving financial assistance under title 23, U.S. Code (federal-aid highway program), or a railroad bridge receiving assistance under title 49, U.S. Code. For such projects, (1) a certified contractor—meaning a firm certified by a recognized third-party organization to perform specified corrosion-related work—must carry out surface preparation or coating application on steel, concrete, or rebar; removal of lead-based or other hazardous coatings from existing steel or concrete; and shop painting of structural steel or rebar; (2) the project sponsor must implement a corrosion management system using industry-recognized standards and methods (i.e., surface preparation, protective coatings, materials selection, cathodic protection, corrosion engineering, personnel training, and environmental best practices); and (3) the sponsor must require certified contractors to employ a substantial number of individuals trained and certified through a qualified training program (i.e., one meeting ANSI/NACE Number 13/SSPC–ACS–1 or successor standards, or a registered apprenticeship program under the National Apprenticeship Act). Additionally, project sponsors must accept bids only from certified contractors providing written proof of certification meeting relevant SSPC–QP standards (or successors), and certified contractors must train any non-certified employees performing the specified work. (Thus, these requirements aim to enhance bridge durability, safety, and environmental protection in federally assisted projects.)

This section expands eligible projects under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program to include corrosion control work on rail bridges. (The CRISI program provides competitive grants to railroads, states, and public entities for freight and passenger rail capital projects that improve safety, efficiency, and capacity.)

This section directs the Secretary of Transportation, not later than 18 months after enactment, to complete a study on best practices for (1) the frequency and method of inspecting corrosion on weathering steel bridges and (2) addressing such corrosion, and to submit a report on the results to the Senate Committees on Environment and Public Works and Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The section further requires the Secretary to make the report available to state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, regional transportation planning organizations, and units of local government that own bridges.