Project Overview
The Barre Town Bridge No. 21 project involved the complete replacement of an outdated and deteriorating structure constructed in 1930 and widened in 1959.
After analyzing several options, including minor repairs, or replacing only parts of the bridge, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) determined that a complete replacement was the best course of action, after considering the bridge's age, location limits, and the town's needs. The new precast concrete bridge design closely resembles the previous layout, ensuring compatibility with the surrounding area while meeting Vermont's width criteria.
The new bridge includes 8-foot-wide shoulders, 12-foot-wide transport lanes, and a walkway on one side, improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians and motorists alike. To minimize interruption throughout the 60-day construction period, traffic was directed to an off-site detour route.
Precast Solution
VTrans selected precast, prestressed concrete as the material to replace the aging structure because of its resiliency, durability, and speed of construction to match their 60-day timeline. Additionally, this project was specified to meet the Buy American requirement for all materials.
To meet and exceed the project expectations, the precast concrete producer, J.P. Carrara & Sons Inc., produced eight 18" x 4' x 48' and three 18" x 3' x 48' prestressed concrete Solid Deck Beams with reinforced closure pours at the joints to eliminate the need for traditional transverse post-tensioning and to best emulate a monolithic cast-in-place deck.
After the project was awarded, the general contractor opted to streamline the construction process by converting the cast-in-place (CIP) concrete abutments to precast concrete abutments. This decision aimed to expedite construction timelines even further. The abutment system provided by the precast producer consisted of eight approach slabs, six footings, four abutment walls, and three wing walls.
The unparalleled efficiency of precast, prestressed bridge components enabled this project to meet the strict deadline for completion and exceed timeline expectations, showcasing the unmatched advantages of accelerated construction methods. |