The race to seismic safety : protecting California's transportation system.

This report presents the results of an assessment by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Seismic Advisory Board regarding the level of impact that future earthquakes may have on the transportation system in California. The assessment delivers seven priority recommendations that are deemed critical toward ensuring the seismic safety of the state. The seven recommendations include: 1) a seismic safety policy should be established by the California Legislature; 2) non-state-owned bridge retrofits need to be incorporated into a timetables established by the Legislature and completed in the next five years; 3) design standards for the construction and retrofit of bridges and other transportation structures need to be maintained and reviewed; 4) regular safety reassesssments of the seisimc hazard and engineering performance of bridges should be conducted; the Toll Bridge Seismic Safety Program should be completed; 6) problem-focused investigations need to be continued by Caltrans; and, 7) emergency response to damaged bridges needs to be maintained.