YOU ARE INVITED TO THE NEXT
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
NORTH CAROLINA SECTION
EASTERN BRANCH
LUNCHEON
Virtual: RSVP Online Now
NOTICE: This meeting is offered virtually only. See below for details.
Speakers:
Mike LaViolette, PE, P.Eng
Matt Longfield, PE, SE
John Belcher, PE
Date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
Topic: ABC of Unbraced Network Arch Using SPMT's
Time: 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Summary: This presentation will provide an overview of the signature Network Tied Arch Second Avenue Bridge over I-94 and will cover the planning, design, and innovative construction methods that included building the bridge off-site and moving it into place using Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs). MDOT, along with key stakeholders including City of Detroit and Wayne State University, desired a signature bridge as the centerpiece of the I-94 Modernization Project to act as a Community Connector - essentially a park-like structure that would promote the safe transportation of pedestrians and cyclists. This 245 ft long, tied arch span carries vehicular traffic, bicycles, and pedestrians and is a first of its kind in Michigan.
The future widening of I-94 requires a much longer bridge than would fit in the existing freeway corridor. Traffic volumes on the depressed freeway approach 175,000 vpd while limited vertical clearance allowed no safe and suitable means of building the new bridge in place. The team was driven to develop a unique approach to constructing a durable signature bridge that could achieve these objectives in an efficient way while prioritizing safety and reduced public impacts.
Moving the bridge skeleton into position during a short closure of the freeway was the only feasible way to meet the objectives of the project without creating significant, long term traffic impacts to the I-94 freeway. Assembly of the steel-concrete hybrid bridge skeleton was performed in a staging area approximately 500 feet from the final bridge location. Furthermore, the assembly lot was located nearly 20 ft above the elevation of the depressed the I-94 roadway. The bridge site was further constrained by an adjacent historic Motown recording studio building that could not be disturbed.
The 5,000,000 pound bridge skeleton was lifted using specialized SPMTs, transported to the final location and rolled across the freeway in July, 2022. The presentation will provide a detailed step-by-step overview of the preparations prior to and operations of this innovative and unique bridge move and the teamwork required to make it a success.
About the Speakers:
Mike LaViolette, PE, P.Eng. is a Senior Professional Associate and National Bridge Practice Leader with HDR. He has over 30 years of experience in complex bridge design and construction engineering services for US and international projects. Mike served as the lead bridge designer for the I-94 2nd Avenue Bridge. His previous projects include the Governor Mario Cuomo Bridge in New York and he is currently serving as Senior Technical Advisor for the $10B Ontario Line transit project in Toronto. Mike earned his BS (Civil Engineering) and MS (Structural Engineering) degrees from Iowa State University.
Matt Longfield, PE, SE is the Bridge Section Manager for HDR in Michigan. Matt has been intimately involved with construction of the I-94 2nd Avenue Bridge including review of contractor erection analysis and extensive on-site technical assistance. He has 15 years of experience in bridge engineering, construction, and inspection, including several ABC projects utilizing SPMTs, sliding and precast construction. Matt earned his BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Toledo and his MEng in Structural Engineering from the University of Michigan.
John Belcher, PE is the Statewide Bridge Construction Engineer for the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Bridges and Structures. John leads MDOT’s effort to achieve statewide alignment and innovation and he provides field support to MDOT Regions and TSC construction offices on all aspects of bridge construction. John has over 21 years of experience including 8 years serving as MDOT’s Concrete Engineer. John earned his BS degree from Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana.
Location: This particular meeting will only be held virtually. Instructions and a link to the virtual meeting (via Zoom) will been sent to the registered participants. If you do not receive the login information, please contact us. You will have the option to install software for a better viewing experience, but the video will otherwise play in a standard web browser. You will not need to create an account.
Fees: $10 for online presentation
PDH: To help Professional Engineers in attendance acquire 15 Professional Development Hour (PDH) units per license renewal period in accordance with 21 NCAC 56.1703, a one hour PDH certificate will be emailed to registered participants after the presentation.