Gordon’s Corner Road
Over US Route 9
Mahesh Patel, P.E.
George Afful, P.E.
Gregory Bitsko, P.E.
About the Bridge
•
Built in 1939
•
Two span concrete encased steel girder bridge with an
open joint at the centerline of the deck creating four
superstructure quadrants/sections.
•
Vertical underclearances
–
13’-9” southbound
–
14’-0” northbound
•
Bridge exhibits numerous locations of impact damage
with loss of encasement and damage to bottom flange
of fascia stringers.
•
Numerous overhead utilities impact constructability.
These lines cross immediately over the east and west
abutments of the structure and cross Route 9 above the
north fascia of the bridge.
About the Bridge
Proposed improvements
•
Replace the entire superstructure and deck to increase the
underclearance to a minimum of 15’-0”
•
Electro-Chemical Chloride extraction for substructure preservation
•
Prefabricated superstructure units to reduce the construction
duration
•
Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) to remove existing
superstructure in sections and install replacement units without
relocating utilities
•
Superstructure replacement will be completed in ONE weekend,
beginning at 9PM Friday and ending 6AM Monday. No other
significant traffic impacts anticipated.
Self-Propelled Modular Transporters
(SPMTs)
•
Heavy lift system traditionally used in the oil
industry
•
A series of interconnected or linked modules,
which are computer controlled to operate as a
single lifting unit
•
Each module has its own power supply
system and has an unrestricted range of
movement on the ground
•
System can move forward, backward,
sideways, diagonally, as well as in circular
and carousel (spin) motions
•
Units adjust vertically between 10” and 16”
depending on the manufacturer.
Video presentation
Island Park Bridge
Ottawa, Ontario
To start video, double click photo
North
US Route 9
North
Alternate
Ramp
Access
US Route 9
Alternate
Ramp
Access
Staging Area
(Municipal Parking Lot)
Southbound Demolition
North
Alternate
Ramp
Access
US Route 9
Alternate
Ramp
Access
Staging Area
(Municipal Parking Lot)
Southbound Installation
North
Alternate
Ramp
Access
US Route 9
Alternate
Ramp
Access
Staging Area
(Municipal Parking Lot)
Northbound Demolition
North
Alternate
Ramp
Access
US Route 9
Alternate
Ramp
Access
Staging Area
(Municipal Parking Lot)
Northbound Installation
Advantages
•
Eliminates 8 to 12 months of utility relocations vs. crane installation.
•
Eliminates daytime lane restrictions for utility relocation.
•
Saves over $600,000 in estimated utility relocation costs.
•
Work will be completed in one weekend rather than 10 to 14 months.
SPMT Considerations
•
Pick weights generally not a concern.
•
Allows multiple construction activities to occur concurrently
•
Construction activities no longer “linear”; reduces time.
•
SPMT’s can be costly. $375,000 for equipment on this project.
•
Staging area selection critical. Close to site and adequate area required.
•
Different suppliers use different techniques affecting staging requirements.
SPMT Considerations
•
Check utilities in staging area. Still need lifting equipment.
•
SPMT costs requires very compressed construction schedule. Design and
planning are critical.
•
SPMT use can’t be dictated. Use incentive/disincentive provisions with very
compressed schedule to “encourage” use. Refer to FHWA website.
•
Provide detailed equipment specifications. Similar systems are not the
same. Circular, carousel and crab movements are critical to defining SPMT.
•
Get the suppliers to visit the site!!!
Project Design Considerations
•
Pier set as control for geometry - narrow width.
•
Existing headers removed to top of seats to eliminate conflicts.
Prefabricated superstructure with replacement headers.
•
Removing headers provides greater width to accommodate construction
adjustments.
•
Existing wingwalls removed to top of seats to eliminate conflicts. Partial
demo required to replace bridge parapet, demo simply extended.
•
Steel bolster eliminates one round of grouting.
•
Disc bearings provides greater construction tolerances.
•
Innovative incentive/disincentive provision. Incentive period ends 6PM
Sunday, disincentive begins 6AM Monday.
Thank You!