Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/816123
May 2017 | EquipmentWorld.com 66 A ll eyes are on Atlanta now as the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and its contractor C.W. Matthews work around the clock to reconstruct a fire-damaged I-85 span. With a total of $3.1 million in incentives on the line to get the project completed by May 21st, GDOT's handling of I-85 promises to be a case study in the art of accelerated bridge construc- tion (ABC) techniques. That section of interstate, which has at least 250,000 vehicles travel- ing on it daily, is a major artery in and out of the city. On any given day, a minor accident in any spot along this route can cause delays and then mushroom to side streets and alternate roads commuters use to circumvent the backup. Remov- ing an entire section of that inter- state creates the potential for chaos. A fire that was reportedly started underneath the bridge burned construction materials, including high-density polyethylene piping, weakening the substructure enough that the deck collapsed. Roughly 350 feet of interstate both north and south are being replaced, along with 61 steel beams and 13 columns. Made for such a scenario ABC techniques represent a broad classification of methods and man- better bridges | by Chris Hill | ChrisHill@randallreilly.com As the I-85 reconstruction unfolds, the use of ABC techniques gets a national spotlight ACCELERATED BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES [ ] The Federal Highway Administration, the Arizona Depart- ment of Transportation and Mohave County officials partnered to build a bridge using ABC techniques such as precast components in just 96 hours at the Sacramento Wash on the Oatman Highway in March.