Project Overview
For over 70 years, the original Concrete Arch Bridge stood within Brookside Park and the MetroParks Zoo, carrying a significant volume of traffic 100 feet above the zoo, the park, Big Creek, and two active railroad lines. Replacement of this concrete open-spandrel deck arch bridge had become imperative because of severe deterioration. A precast concrete arch alternative, with six 210 feet spans to resemble the original structure, was selected.
Precast Solution
This alternative employed the use of modern materials and construction methods with four spandrel columns in each span, giving a more open and contemporary appearance than the original bridge. The precast, post-tensioned approach to the arch construction has minimized the negative impact to the zoo and the railroads, and allowed for continuous operation of the zoo during construction. The selection of precast, post-tensioned segments also served to address the owner’s desire for a high quality, durable structure.
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