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Rapid assessment of a transportation structures’ safety and functionality is a crucial procedure in restoring vital lifeline routes after a hazardous events.  However, executing preparatory actions before a hazardous event occurs, and conducting feasible remedial actions during and after such an event, is also essential to the structures safety.  This paper introduces a process for hazard mitigation of transportation structures through the example of an application of earthquake mitigation to highway bridges.  Earthquake mitigation consists of three components: pre-earthquake, during-earthquake, and post-earthquake mitigation.  Pre-earthquake mitigation consists of a seismic evaluation of all applicable bridges and a prioritization of the seismic vulnerability of these bridges.  Simultaneously, pre-earthquake mitigation requires the implementation of earthquake-response training programs for the necessary earthquake-response personnel.  Unlike hazards such as hurricanes, floods, etc., the short duration and unpredictability of earthquakes, no form of “during-earthquake” mitigation is possible.  Post-earthquake mitigation consists of the use of post-earthquake investigation methodologies that assigns a bridge safety-rating to effected bridges to assist in posting or closing bridges to traffic.  The methodology and concepts presented herein can be extended to all forms of man-made and natural hazards.