|
|
Sikorsky Bridge Client: Connecticut Department of Transportation
Location: Stratford, CT
Start Date: January 2001
End Date: January 2008
Contract Amount: $83.6 million
Originally built in the 1930s, the
Sikorsky Bridge was an important part of one of America's first
limited-access highways. Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc. replaced
the old bridge, which was no longer able to accommodate increased
traffic. The two new bridges in its place (northbound and southbound)
each carry three lanes of traffic. The southbound side has a
pedestrian/bicycle lane for people wanting to enjoy the surrounding
scenery. The former bridge was constructed with an old metal grid deck
and no shoulders. The new bridges have composite concrete decks, making
them much safer for winter travelers.
Schedule requirements
dictated extensive winter work for this $83.6 million project, which was constructed
over an environmentally sensitive waterway. Balfour Beatty
Infrastructure used a combination of trestles and barges to cope with
these difficult conditions. The bridge is more than 1,800 feet long and
110 feet high at its tallest point above water. The project involved
extensive planning and multi-staged construction to maintain heavy
traffic volumes. Protection of the wetlands and habitats, along with
the prevention of river pollution, were important considerations.
|
