In 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake caused multiple bridge collapses that resulted in 43 deaths. Caltrans responded by greatly expanding its bridge research program. This program continues to yield numerous advancements that make Caltrans a world leader in bridge engineering. The research program initiates approximately 10 new contracts each year, each with duration of 2 to 3 years.
PEER-Bridge Research Program is a streamlined framework of Caltrans bridge research program. A single master contract is established between Caltrans and PEER, and different projects are executed as Task Orders under the master contract.
Project topics are selected by Caltrans. PEER administers a request-for-proposal (RFP) for each of these topics. Caltrans and PEER will review the proposals and make a decision on final selection(s). Selected proposals will be executed as Task Order agreement, and PEER will issue a subaward to the Principal Investigator’s university.
According to the Master Agreement between the funding agency and the University of California, Berkeley, for this RFP, only public universities are eligible to submit proposals. That is, the Principal Investigator (PI) must be affiliated with one of the following universities: UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Los Angeles, UC San Diego, Oregon State University, University of Nevada – Reno, and University of Washington. The Co-PI’s or collaborators may be from any public or private institution.
PEER-Bridge Program Master Agreement PI: Prof. K. M. Mosalam