Some recent clues gleaned off the PennDOT "Doing Business" website, which look fairly positive. Just keeping the boat steady in the Northeast... Nat ------------------------------------------------------------------ 1) A transmittal letter dated 2000 December 29 stating: >>>"The following revised bridge standards comprise change #4 to the January 1996 edition of the BD-600M Series (Metric units). As part of each standard's revisions, English Units were added in parentheses after the metric values. Therefore, with this letter all English standards, BD-600 Series (Pub. #218) except the Sign Structures Standards, ED-641 through BD-644, are now discontinued." >>>> In other words PennDOT's adding English units parenthetically, but otherwise dropping English standards. This is exactly what Secretary Mallory said on the radio in 1999 November. Link: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/BridgeQualASsurDiv/pdotbridge/PDFS/Transl4.pdf --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) New CADD files updated 2001 Mar 1 all carry the "M" suffix, which stands for metric. A couple non-M files listed as US units are being deleted. See below: >>>> What's New Revised 3/1/01 Welcome to PennDOT's CADD Resource Files! This site replaces the former Bulletin Board Service for consultants. If you have a valid Username and Password for the BBS, you may use it here, except that you must use ALL CAPS. This site is provided by the CADD Support unit in Montoursville, PA as was the BBS. See Contact Us if you need to get in touch with us. <snip> Here is a list of files added or updated in 2001: 4310015.PDF UPDATED 1/29/01 4310016.PDF UPDATED 1/29/01 4320007.PDF UPDATED 2/2/01 4320101.PDF UPDATED 2/2/01 CIVIL.INI ADDED 2/16/01 WYSIWYG.INI ADDED 2/16/01 4310101.PDF ADDED 2/27/01 4310102.PDF ADDED 2/27/01 4310103.PDF ADDED 2/27/01 4310104.PDF ADDED 2/27/01 BC700M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BC732M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BC735M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BC739M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BC753M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BC757M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BC762M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BC766M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BC782M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BC783M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BC788M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BC794M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BC798M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BC799M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BC7*.DGN DELETED 2/28/01 - ALL US UNIT BC700 STANDARDS HAVE BEEN DELETED BD600M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BD601M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BD606M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BD612M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BD614M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BD631M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BD633M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BD634M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BD651M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BD662M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BD664M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BD667M.DGN ADDED 2/28/01 BD6*.DGN DELETED 2/28/01 - ALL US UNIT BD600 STANDARDS HAVE BEEN DELETED EXCEPT BD641.DGN, BD642.DGN, BD643.DGN, BD644.DGN BD600.DGN ADDED 3/1/01 >>>>> http://www.dot.state.pa.us/internet/secinet.nsf/frmpage2DoingBusiness ("what's new" link) --------------------------------------------------------- 3) Standards revisions dated 2000 December 29 give preference to metric, with English parenthetical. Note how millimeters are assumed if no units are provided. An excerpt: >>>>>>> " Revised 'Proposed 1070 Deck Parapet' to 'Proposed Parapet' including both 1070 and 810 details. Added Detail A to All Parapet Designs. Renamed "Proposed 810mm Deck Parapet" to 'Proposed Deck Parapet' for both 1070 and 810 Barriers, and moved detail to Sheet 1. ERRATA: Modified SECTION C-C by sloping top of safety wing from 1070 (3'-6") to 810 (2'-8")." >>>>> Link: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/BridgeQualASsurDiv/pdotbridge/bdchanges.doc ------------------------------------------------ 4) Finally a search of current bills for 2001-2002 Legislature shows no activity for keyword "metric". The reversion bill went out with the 1999-2000 Session. http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/billroom.htm -----------------------------------------------------
