Maine Demonstration Project: Hotel Road (Littlefields Bridge) Replacement Using Superstructure Slide-In Technology

Federal Highway Administration2015PDFTech Reporthttps://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/78000/78400/78499/me_pbes_superstructure_slidein_technology_hotelrd.pdfhttps://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hfl/projects/me_pbes_superstructure_slidein_technology_hotelrd.pdfBhajandas, AmarApplied Research Associates, Inc.United States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of InfrastructureZirlin, JulieFlom, EwaFederal Highway Administration (U.S.)United StatesBridge constructionJointless bridgesGlass fibersFiber reinforced polymersPrefabricated structuresFinal ReportAs part of a national initiative sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration under the Highways for LIFE program, the Maine Department of Transportation was awarded a $580,000 grant to demonstrate the use of proven, innovative technologies for accelerated bridge removal and replacement. This report documents accelerated bridge construction techniques using prefabricated bridge elements and slide-in technology to replace Littlefields Bridge over Little Androscoggin River in Auburn. This report documents project/site challenges, construction details, use of glass fiber reinforced polymer rebars, use of precast elements for structural components, use of innovative incentive/disincentives to relocate utilities in an efficient and effective manner, and deployment of horizontal slide-in technology that did not require special equipment or specialty subcontractors. Under conventional construction methods, the project would have taken 4 months to build and would have required the construction of a temporary roadway and two-lane temporary bridge to channel traffic during construction. This would have required acquisition of right-of-way and relocation of residents. However, using precast elements and horizontal slide-in technology, the impact of the project\u2019s construction was reduced to 33 days, during which the bridge was closed and traffic detoured. With its broader width, jointless construction, precast materials fabricated in a controlled environment, and high-performance deck reinforcement, the bridge is expected to demand less maintenance, last longer, and provide safer passage to the more than 10,000 daily users, including the many bicyclists who use this road. The project cost was about the same as the expected cost if conventional methods were used, but the innovative option resulted in an additional user cost savings of $59,795. Nonetheless, this experience provides Maine Department of Transportation personnel with an additional tool to rapidly renew and replace bridges. Because of the success of this project, Maine plans to use the horizontal slide-in technology on future projects where it is feasible and appropriate for conditions100