Replacement of Bridge in Oklahoma Utilizing Accelerated Bridge Construction and Bridge Sliding Methodology

As part of a national initiative sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration under the Highways for LIFE program, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) was awarded a $718,000 grant to demonstrate the use of proven, innovative technologies for accelerated bridge construction (ABC). This report documents the use of accelerated bridge construction methods and transverse bridge sliding technology to replace the bridge on SH 51, over Cottonwood Creek in Creek County. The innovations used in this project increased safety, enhanced quality, and resulted in a structure that will provide increased longevity and lower maintenance costs for the people of Oklahoma. While the use of accelerated bridge construction may not have reduced the total time to construct this project, it did result in a road closure of only 11 days, compared to the estimated 180 days for traditional bridge replacement. Using this technology increased the initial construction cost by about $1.6 million, or nearly 84 percent on the project. This increase is attributed mostly to the contracting community’s unfamiliarity with the technology. It is assumed that the experience gained from this project will lower future bids and allow more routine use of this technology going forward. While not a direct savings to the agency, the cost of the innovation was offset by savings in user and safety costs, as discussed in this report. ODOT believes that it is important to gain experience with this technology so that contractors become familiar with the technology, hopefully resulting in lower bids in the future. While the initial cost of ABC is higher, the agency believes that there are situations where it is a good alternative, especially where there would be extended closure of the roadway, long detours, or dramatically increased travel times. This would be especially true in areas with a high traffic volume.

• Record URL:
  http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hfl/summary/pdf_2/Oklahoma%20SH51%20Cottonwood%20Creek%20Report%20Draft%20Final.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/54212
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Cover title: Oklahoma Demonstration Project: Replacement of Bridge in Oklahoma Utilizing Accelerated Bridge Construction and Bridge Sliding Methodology.
• Corporate Authors:

  Applied Research Associates, Incorporated

  100 Trade Center Drive, Suite 200
  Champaign, IL  United States  61820

  Federal Highway Administration

  Office of Infrastructure
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Bledsoe, James
• Publication Date: 2015-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Maps; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: 39p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge construction; Costs; Demonstration projects; Economic analysis; Street closure; Technological innovations
• Geographic Terms: Oklahoma
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways; I53: Construction of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01581022
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Nov 20 2015 5:12PM