Reconstruction of I-91 Springfield Viaduct
CHA led the design of this major bridge deck replacement project on I-91 in Springfield, Massachusetts. The project required a design solution for the rehabilitation of 129 spans of the viaduct structure that could be executed in two distinct one-year phases impacting the mainline traffic.
Prior to construction, our team studied two major problems with the bridge framing. The viaduct had numerous fracture critical cap girders that had a history of cracking as well as numerous pin and hanger assemblies. After an extensive strain monitoring program, we developed simple retrofit details to address the cracking and an innovative re-work of the pin and hangers, converting them into ship lap connections. This eliminated the pin and hangers and addressed the deterioration behind the hanger plates.
CHA also provided an innovative idea for addressing corrosion damage, saving months of time during design development and resulting in very cost-effective repair details.
Project Services:
- Bridge Design
- Highway Design
- Land Surveying
- Community Outreach
Ingenuity:
- Prefabricated elements
- Accelerated schedule
- Retrofit designs
- Corrosion mitigation design