Project
Replacement Superstructure
Project Manager:
Donald Tusing
The Challenge
RK&K was requested by MDOT SHA to prepare contract documents for a new bridge to replace the existing culvert carrying MD 213 over Old Mill Stream Branch in Centreville, MD. The existing culvert was a two-cell box culvert built in 1912 that was widened in 1945 on both sides with a concrete slab on timber piles. The timber piles and top slab were experiencing significant deterioration.
Due to existing traffic volume on the MD 213 bridge, the geometry of the roadway respective to the existing culvert alignment below, and concerns that phased demolition would result in an unstable structure, the replacement superstructure was constructed adjacent to the existing structure and moved in place using the innovative Accelerated Bridge Construction technique of lateral sliding.
This was the first lateral slide performed by the Maryland Department of Transportation.
Client
Services Provided
The Solution
The replacement structure was a 74’-2” long, galvanized steel girder bridge with semi-integral abutments. RK&K’s work included geometric layout, abutment and wingwall design, structural steel design, reinforced concrete design, and incorporating appropriate details for the superstructure to be moved into place. Unique design considerations included dynamic effects during the slide, bearing detailing and installation, integral backwall design, and accommodating the anticipated sequence of construction. A permanent steel sheet pile wall is present in front of each substructure unit to provide scour protection. To facilitate low overhead equipment and allow substructure construction to be conducted below the roadway, micropile-supported abutments were utilized. Special provisions for lateral sliding of the superstructure and for the temporary substructure in the staging area were developed.
The new abutments were built in their permanent location in sheet pile supported trenches using temporary closures maintaining a single lane of traffic. A weekend closure of the full roadway was utilized to remove the existing structure, excavate for the longer span length, and move the new superstructure in place.
Watch the MD 213 Bridge Slide Video:
(Credit: Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.)
