In 1995, the largest double-swing bridge in the United States was dismantled and replaced in record time. A major goal was limiting bridge closure to avoid disrupting traffic of more than 27,000 vehicles a day. Lighter-weight modern materials allowed Virginia DOT designers to widen the new bridge but use the existing foundation. While approach spans were widened, truss spans were prefabricated nearby and then barged to the construction site. Six old spans were removed and six new ones placed in only nine days.
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Prefabricated Elements
Total superstructure systems
Other Keywords
Prefabricated steel truss spans
Advantages
Minimized traffic disruption by constructing truss spans off-site and then barging them into place.
