IN-HOUSE BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION: THE EXPERIENCE OF A RURAL COMMUNITY

Litchfield, Connecticut's Trumbull Street Bridge, a 50-ft span one-lane structure over the Bantam River, was scheduled for replacement in the summer of 1986. The existing structure was a two-span pony truss, shored up with wide flange steel beams and a column support system. A waterway opening, capable of handling a 100-year storm flow of 2,900 cfs, was required. Several alternative bridge systems were evaluated for the site and a Bebo pre-cast concrete arch structure was selected. Design problems included footing sizing, anchorage to bedrock, and the design of a parapet wall that would meet state design standards and act independently of the pre-cast structure. A 30 percent grant and a low interest loan were obtained from the State of Connecticut. Faced with a tight budget and an unfavorable bid climate in early 1986, the town decided to undertake the project with in-house personnel. This article describes the construction planning, removal of the existing structure, and reconstruction of the Trumbull Street Bridge. Final cost of the project was $234,668. Benefits resulting from in-house construction included significant dollar savings and the better use of the diverse construction skills of in-house personnel, as well as improved ability to proceed with greater efficiency on other bridge and similar repair projects. The challenge of completing projects of this nature has developed a renewed interest and an increased sense of pride for many employees in a job that can quite often only involve repetitive and routine maintenance work.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1606878
• Corporate Authors:

  Public Works Journal Corporation

  P.O. Box 688
  Ridgewood, NJ  United States  07451
• Authors:
  • Thompson, D P
• Publication Date: 1988-9

Media Info

• Features: Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 117-118
• Serial:
  • Public Works
  • Volume: 119
  • Issue Number: 10
  • Publisher: Hanley Wood
  • ISSN: 0033-3840
  • Serial URL: http://www.pwmag.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Arch bridges; Benefits; Bridges; Construction; Costs; Design; Equipment replacement; Financing; Maintenance; Precast concrete; Programming (Planning); Rural areas; Small towns
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge maintenance; Design features; Replacement
• Old TRIS Terms: Construction problems; In-house projects
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Finance; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I10: Economics and Administration; I53: Construction of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00476101
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 30 1988 12:00AM