NYSDOT Using Innovative New Construction Method To Build New Bridges On I-84

ALBANY, NY (06/25/2013)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Joan McDonald today announced that work has begun on a $10.2 million project to replace the two bridges carrying Interstate 84 eastbound and westbound over Dingle Ridge Road in the town of Southeast, Westchester County. The innovative project will require each bridge to be closed on separate weekends in September so that new bridges, which are being built adjacent to the existing structures, can be slid into place.

"The New York State Department of Transportation is always searching for creative ways to build bridges more efficiently. This bridge replacement on Interstate 84 is a prime example of making construction safer while greatly minimizing construction-related traffic delays by condensing the bridge closures into two weekends," Commissioner McDonald said. "This new technique saves taxpayer money, reduces the length of construction and could be a model for future bridge replacement projects."

Foundations for the new bridges are being constructed now and pre-cast concrete bridge beams are being fabricated off site. Once the beams are fabricated, they will be shipped to the site and assembled just to the north of each bridge. During the weekend closures, the existing bridges will be demolished, the new bridges will be slid sideways into place and secured, and the approaches to the bridge will be paved. Each bridge is expected to take approximately 18 hours to replace, with one bridge being completed each weekend.

This new technique will save taxpayers a minimum of $2 million by eliminating the need for construction of a temporary bridge to carry traffic during construction. It will also reduce the length of construction by at least one year, since both bridges will be built at the same time. This construction method could be used to replace similar bridges along heavily traveled corridors in the future.

The modern design and construction method were developed under the Transportation Research Board (TRB), a national organization dedicated to promoting innovation in transportation through research. TRB designed the project with NYSDOT. The techniques developed for this project will be added to a "tool box" of innovative bridge construction methods that will be shared nationally. New York State bridge engineers continue to be leaders in progressive bridge construction and design practice.

The project also received a $2.1 million Highway for LIFE (HfL) grant from the Federal Highway Administration. The HfL program encourages the use of innovative technologies and practices on America's roads and bridges, such as accelerated bridge construction, cutting-edge building materials and advanced methods for construction project management. Grants totaling $76 million have been allocated across the country through the HfL program since its inception in 2006.

On the weekend of September 7 and 8, the bridge carrying I-84 eastbound will be closed for bridge replacement. Traffic will be detoured onto Route 6 at Exit 20 in New York and diverted back onto I-84 at Exit 1 in Connecticut. On one of the following weekends, the bridge carrying I-84 westbound will be closed for replacement, with a similar detour.

Traffic impacts along the Route 6 detour are expected to be significant during the weekend closure periods. Motorists should plan extra time to travel through the area and should use alternate routes, if possible.

This section of I-84, which connects New York and Connecticut, is heavily traveled, with an average of nearly 75,000 vehicles using it each day.

More information about the project can be found at www.dot.ny.gov/NYI84CT.

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