Concrete over the Connecticut

Martin, G. Dewey; Hubbard, Ian; ,

Concrete over the Connecticut

by G. Dewey Martin, III, (M.ASCE), Project Engr.; Parsons Brinckerhoff Const. Services, Inc., Old Saybrook, CT,
Ian Hubbard, (M.ASCE), Assoc.; Parsons Brinckerhoff Const. Services, Inc., Old Saybrook, CT,

Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 1993, Vol. 63, Issue 1, Pg. 56-58

Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

The existing Baldwin Bridge carrying I-95 across the Connecticut River between Old Lyme and Old Saybrook, Connecticut, constructed in 1948, is functioning at maximum capacity with modern traffic volume and frequenly causes slowdowns for interstate travelers. The Connecticut Department of Transportation after studies to examine alternates for its replacement, decided to build a new bridge structure to the south of the existing bridge, and comissioned Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and Douglas, Inc. to design a steel and concrete alternate. Through competitive bidding, the concrete alternate was chosen, making it Connecticut's first segmental concrete bridge and New England's third. Construction began in February 1990 with dredging, construction of cofferdams, pile driving, and placement of tremie concrete seals for the ten structural footings and two abutments. The bridge superstructure consists of 488 precast segmental box girders, transversely post tensioned as units and longitudinally post tensioned together after erection. Although a contract duration of four years was allowed, the contractor scheduled to complete the project in three years. Though this estimate has slipped somewhat, extra work shifts, innovation and participation in the project by the owner and construction manager, and to the prospects of achieving this aggressive schedule.

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