August 9, 2013
Innovation Implementation: Accelerated Bridge Construction
In August, the spotlight is on accelerated bridge construction, technologies and practices that enable highway agencies to replace bridges faster, more safely and sometimes at lower cost. Every Day Counts is focusing on three ABC technologies: slide-in bridge construction, prefabricated bridge elements and systems and geosynthetic reinforced soil integrated bridge systems.
Slide-in bridge construction involves building a bridge on temporary supports next to an existing structure and sliding it into place after the old bridge is removed. The bridge is installed and the road reopened to traffic in a short time–typically 48 to 72 hours-reducing traffic disruption and improving safety.
The Colorado Department of Transportation will offer a series of training webinars on lateral bridge slides from October 2013 to December 2014. See future EDC News issues for dates. The eight one-hour sessions will cover topics such as site selection methodology, specifications and contract language. They’ll also include best practices, lessons learned and case studies, such as the Colorado DOT’s project to replace a bridge on U.S. 34 with slide-in construction
Rhode Island Group Discusses Innovation Deployment
Rhode Island’s StateTransportation Innovation Council met August 1 to review a list of several Every Day Counts and second Strategic Highway Research Program innovations under consideration for implementation in the state. The group also discussed marketing successful innovation projects. Representatives of FHWA, state agencies and the contractor and engineering communities participated in the meeting.
Virginia Plans Design-Build Projects
The Virginia Department of Transportation will use the design-build delivery method on three projects on the I-64 and I-264 corridors in the Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach areas. The projects, with a combined estimated cost of $116 million, will increase pavement life span on the interstate sections 15 years or more through major restorative activities. High-friction surface treatments will be applied on shoulders used as travel lanes under certain conditions to enhance driver safety.
