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Unified Testing Services Completes Mississippi River Bridge Inspection Work For Mississippi DOT

NEWTOWN, CT/Sept. 16, 2008 — Unified Testing Services (UTS), a member of TÜV Rheinland Group, recently completed shop fabrication inspection services for the Mississippi River Bridge, located along U.S. Highway 82 crossing the Mississippi River between Lake Village, Ark. and Greenville, Miss. Contracted by the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the testing and inspection services company inspected the bridge’s steel approaches. UTS first began work on the bridge’s center span in Sept. 2002.

At 1,378 feet, the Mississippi River Bridge boasts the longest main span of any cable-stayed bridge on the Mississippi River and is the fourth longest in North America. The bridge is expected to open in the fall of 2010 to traffic between Arkansas and Mississippi.

“The quality of the workmanship and precision in the fabrication of all the structural steel components was paramount in our minds from the very beginning of this project,” said Mitchell K. Carr, P.E., State Bridge Engineer for the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT). “UTS has provided MDOT with exemplary quality assurance and testing for many years. Their steadfast attention to detail and dedication to quality was absolutely essential to the success of this project.”

Based in Woodstock, Ala., UTS offers a wide variety of testing and inspection services focused on materials, construction, transportation, facilities and environmental engineering. One of the company’s specialties includes shop fabrication inspection of structural steel bridges.

Work involved verifying shop fabrication practices such as welder qualifications, welding procedures and material certifications. Additionally, the company monitored the cutting, fitting and welding of steel materials; witnessed and reviewed nondestructive testing; and monitored shop blasting and coating operations.

"We are very excited about this landmark bridge and what it means to the states of Mississippi and Arkansas as well as the local communities,” said Mitchell, “The bridge is a beautiful symbol of engineering and construction excellence, which should inspire generations to come.”

UTS also offers environmental consulting and testing, and destructive and nondestructive materials testing.

About TÜVRheinland®
TÜVRheinland® is the world leader in independent testing and assessment services. The $1.5 billion-corporation is comprised of an international network of more than 12,500 employees at over 360 locations in 62 countries and serves most industry sectors and markets worldwide. TÜVRheinland is a member of the Global Compact of the United Nations, a global network of companies and interest groups involved in the world’s largest voluntary corporate social responsibility initiative.