Construction

Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems

What is PBES?

PBES are structural components of a bridge that are built offsite, or near-site of a bridge and include features that reduce the onsite construction time and the mobility impact time that occurs when building new bridges or rehabilitating or replacing existing bridges relative to conventional construction methods.

• PBES Definitions

How Does It Work?

How Does PBES Impact ABC?

Use of PBES is one strategy that can meet the objectives to Accelerate Bridge Construction while providing additional benefits beyond those with only reducing on-site construction time: ABC improves: Site Constructability Total project delivery time Material quality and product durability Work-zone safety for the traveling public and contractor personnel ABC reduces: Traffic Impacts Onsite construction time Weather-related time delays ABC can minimize Environmental impacts Impacts to existing roadway alignment Utility relocations and right-of-way take

Publications

• Connection Details for PBES
• Framework for Decision-Making
• Manual on Use of Self-Propelled Modular Transporters to Remove and Replace Bridges
• Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems Cost Study: Accelerated Bridge Construction Success Stories
• Scan Team Implementation Plan
• Public Roads: To ABC or Not?
• 1987 FHWA Precast Concrete Deck Panels Memo

Projects

• Graves Avenue Prefabricated Bridge Project
• Time Lapse Video - Keg Creek Bridge Replacement

Archive

• Bridge Deck Replacement Project Using Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs)
• 2006 Concrete Bridge Conference Workshop Rapid Bridge Construction: How to Get There
• MnDOT/FHWA Precast Slab System Workshop Summary Report
• Prefabricated Bridges Brochure: "Get in, get out, stay out."