One Year Early
This article describes the project to build a new bridge to span the Cooper River in South Carolina. A design-build approach was adopted and the state contracted with a joint venture for both the design and the construction. The bridge spans a shipping lane with a history of ship collisions with previous bridges, and is located is an area prone to hurricanes and with the potential for seismic activity. This meant that the finished bridge needed to be able to withstand ship collisions, strong storms and earthquakes. The joint venture chose to design and build the bridge as a single 2.5 mile long, eight-lane span. The 570-ft-high bridge also carries a pedestrian and bicycle path. The new bridge is the longest cable stayed bridge in the Western Hemisphere. Due to the magnitude of the project, an integrated construction management solution was used to keep the program on schedule and effectively manage the disparate project elements. Some of the best practices that the joint venture implemented included: (1) the creation of a rigorous, documented, system-driven change-management process; (2) implementation of a robust technology platform for standardized communication and collaboration; (3) development of project health indicators; and (4) multiple forecasting scenarios. These best practices are credited with enabling the joint venture to complete the project 14 months early.
- Record URL:
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Authors:
- Sappe, Richard
- Publication Date: 2007-5
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Print
- Features: Photos;
- Pagination: pp 18-21
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Serial:
- Bridges
- Volume: 10
- Issue Number: 3
- Publisher: ZweigWhite
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Best practices; Bridge construction; Bridge design; Bridge engineering; Cable stayed bridges; Case studies; Construction management; Construction projects; Design build; Highway bridges; Joint ventures
- Geographic Terms: South Carolina
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I53: Construction of Bridges and Retaining Walls;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01082392
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Dec 18 2007 11:28AM