Scope of Project:
The West Virginia Division of Highways awarded Brayman Construction Corporation the $83 Million contract to construct the I-64 Kanawha River Bridge – located in Charleston, West Virginia. The bridge structure – defined as cast-in-place cantilever segmental construction, will have an overall length of 2,975 feet. Inclusive of the project will be the construction of 7 piers, 5 on land and 2 on the edge of the river. Upon completion, the main span will be the longest continuous segmental span in the United States – and possibly within the entire North American continent.
The final bridge design, engineering, and project approach is the result of a collaborative effort involving multiple professional firms providing design, engineering, and advisory services. Specifically, T.Y. LIN International – recognized as one of the world’s leading transportation design firms, performed overall design engineering for the bridge design. Brayman contracted with FINLEY Engineering Group to provide construction engineering advisory services for the segmental portion of the bridge, and Michael Baker, Jr. Inc. Engineering for construction engineering services for the river pier foundations of the structure.
The project which started in early spring of 2007 has a planned duration of 3 years. Daily progress of the project is available by the West Virginia Department of Transportation’s – Division of Highways via a webcam installed to provide “real-time” viewing of the project.
View the webcam
Cast-in-place balanced cantilever construction requires formwork that is attached to the tip of the growing cantilever for casting. As the cantilever grows the forms travel are set forth in steps. These form travelers give shape to the segment, support the weight of the newly cast concrete until it has gained enough strength to be post-tensioned to the previous cantilever segments, and transfer the segment weight to the already existing superstructure. Consistent with this construction technique, the bridge deck and superstructure are poured as a unit in a series of approximately 180 segments – each 16 feet long. As the segments are poured, post tensioning strand and bars that are embedded in the concrete are stressed – providing the strength required to support the long strands.
This project was named The #1 Bridge of 2009 by Road & Bridges Magazine. Read more ...
Read the Roads & Bridges Article here |
