Maintaining bridges in good condition has proven to extend service life and to be more cost effective than allowing deterioration to progress, resulting in the need for more extensive and costly rehabilitation or replacement projects. By developing and implementing a comprehensive bridge preservation plan, a local agency can better identify its needs, prioritize its actions, and allocate available funds appropriately. Developing a successful bridge asset management plan requires quality inspection data, an understanding of bridge costs and actions as well as an understanding of asset management principles.