Engineering Inc. - July/August 2008 - (Page 27)

MULTI-PROJECT FEATURE PROJECT: The Mathews Bridge Grating Replacement, Jacksonville, Fla. FIRM: JEA Construction Engineering Services, Inc. (JEAces), Gainesville, Fla. awarded PCL Civil Constructors the $13 million contract to replace the bridge’s 810-foot open steel grating deck with a composite steel deck that incorporates a lightweight concrete riding surface that would please the public and maintain the safety and integrity of the existing bridge,” explains Thomas W. Woods, project administrator for Gainesville, Fla.–based JEAces. JEAces was chosen to S tretched across Florida’s St. John’s River, the Mathews Bridge is the main link for more than 68,000 motorists a day traveling between Arlington and Jacksonville. Built in 1953, the 1,600-foot truss bridge with a length of nearly 7,000 feet had its original steel grating replaced in 1999. It wasn’t long, though, before motorists started to complain. The new steel grating was less popular with the public than more traditional, solid riding surfaces. In an effort to improve conditions, state transportation officials decided to make a change. “The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Thomas W. Woods The Mathews Bridge is the main link for more than 68,000 motorists a day traveling between Arlington and Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville A Smoother Ride in oversee the construction and ensure that the project’s plans and specifications were strictly followed. JEAces was also responsible for resolving construction issues before they became problems, administrating the contract and coordinating construction activities. Construction on the new surface began in January 2007 with the installation of the work platform underneath the existing truss. Upon completion of the platform, traffic was restricted to one way westbound and was detoured eastbound over nearby bridges so construction could begin. “This way, rush-hour traffic into downtown could remain unimpeded,” explains Woods. FDOT set a 90-day timeframe for the detour and subsequent completion of the surface replacement, based on the analysis performed by Hardesty & Hanover, LLP, the engineer of record. To adhere to the short schedule for removing the existing steel grating, installing the new stringers and installing the lightweight reinforced concrete riding surface, PCL, JEAces and FDOT worked in concert in continuous shifts, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “In addition, JEAces helped negotiate the $500,000 bonus offered by FDOT to the contractor as an incentive to finish the project in 90 days,” says Woods. JEAces and the project team presented the traveling public with four lanes of new lightweight concrete bridge deck on July 14, 2007, exactly 90 days after traffic was detoured to begin construction. The team received the Florida First Coast Chapter of the American Concrete Institute’s Significant Structures Award for its unique use of concrete on the project. ENGINEERING INC. JULY / AUGUST 2008 27

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Engineering Inc. - July/August 2008

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