en.Wedoany.com Reported - In 2013, the reconstruction of the Rawson Avenue Bridge in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, USA, utilized accelerated bridge construction techniques. By assembling the superstructure adjacent to the highway and transporting it as a single unit to its final position, the bridge was set in place in 12 hours, avoiding the months of traffic congestion that traditional construction methods would have caused.
The project took place on Interstate 94 in the Milwaukee area. Instead of constructing the bridge superstructure directly over the highway, it was assembled on temporary support towers near Rawson Avenue. The completed bridge span was then moved into its final position using Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs). SPMTs are multi-axle heavy-duty platforms capable of precisely lifting, carrying, and positioning large structures. During the bridge move, Interstate 94 was closed for only 12 hours, and the closure of Rawson Avenue was reduced to approximately three weeks—far less than the six to nine months estimated for traditional methods.
According to information from Bloom Companies, which was involved in the project, this was the first use of SPMTs for rapid bridge construction in Wisconsin and the state's first bridge with multi-column precast concrete piers. A project technical note indicates that the bridge deck used approximately 671 cubic meters of concrete, included 28 concrete beams each about 1.14 meters deep, and approximately 41 metric tons of pier cap beams.
GRAEF, the engineering firm involved in construction management, stated that this project was a pilot for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in using SPMTs for this type of construction. The span was assembled on temporary supports and moved to its final position on new piers and abutments in a single night. This technique is part of the Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) concept, which, as noted in a manual by the Federal Highway Administration, uses planning, design, materials, and innovative techniques to shorten construction time, reduce risk, and minimize traffic impact. This case demonstrates how prefabricating large superstructure components and moving them with specialized equipment can accelerate public works while reducing traffic disruption and improving worker safety on busy roadways.
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