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FHWA Home / OIPD / Accelerating Innovation / Every Day Counts / EDC News: November 21, 2014

EDC News

November 21, 2014

Innovation Implementation: Accelerated Bridge Construction

On the roster of Every Day Counts innovations since 2010, prefabricated bridge elements and systems are now widely used across the United States.

Part of the accelerated bridge construction suite of technologies, prefabricated components are constructed off-site and moved to the work zone for installation. The result is more durable bridges that can be built faster, more safely and with less traffic disruption.

PBES is now standard practice in 25 states. Thirty-eight states have completed demonstrations of bridge projects using PBES, and six more are working on demonstrations.

Prefabricated Bridge Elements Virginia Department of Transportation animation explains prefabricated bridge elements. Credit: Virginia DOT. See Video »

The New York State Department of Transportation updated its Bridge Manual in April 2014 to include information on PBES techniques that may be used when planning bridge projects. The agency has developed a standard specification for using PBES and a special specification that provides options for using precast concrete deck systems or traditional concrete decks.

Idaho Interchange Features Wildlife Art

New art pieces at Idaho's first diverging diamond interchange showcase that the Chubbuck interchange is one of a kind. The $10.8 million project connects U.S. 91/Yellowstone Highway over the I-86 system. The metal art pieces adorning the interchange include a moose, a pronghorn and several birds of prey. "We worked with the contractor on design. They worked with a Utah artist who translated our ideas into fabricated pieces," said Alissa Salmore, Idaho Transportation Department's Region 5 senior environmental planner. Additional bridge aesthetics included concrete color for the parapet, piers, island paving and retaining-wall panels.

Montana Explores Mini-Roundabout Opportunities

The Federal Highway Administration presented a November 7 webinar on mini-roundabouts for Montana Department of Transportation staff, local agency representatives and consultants. Mini-roundabouts typically feature a fully traversable central island to accommodate large vehicles within constrained rights-of-way. The webinar was designed to help participants identify opportunities to implement mini-roundabouts where appropriate.

Ohio Holds Systemic Safety Peer Exchange

The Ohio Department of Transportation hosted a systemic safety implementation peer exchange in Columbus on November 18 and 19. The purpose of the two-day event was to advance a systemic safety approach to reducing fatalities and injuries by using a broad risk-based approach across an entire roadway system. Sessions covered topics such as state experiences, funding and implementation strategies, analysis tools, local road safety and systemic countermeasures. Participants came from Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Warm-Mix Asphalt Use Grows in Oklahoma

Oklahoma contractors and engineers are embracing energy-saving warm-mix asphalt technology for road projects. During the 2013-14 construction season, warm-mix asphalt production topped 1.1 million tons, 51 percent of the total asphalt used on Oklahoma highway projects. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation plans to continue increasing its use of warm-mix asphalt in the upcoming construction season.

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Jeffrey A. Zaharewicz
Director
(202) 366-1325
Jeffrey.Zaharewicz@dot.gov


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Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000