Skip to main content

Bridge link underway in Texas

In the US state of Texas, work is in hand to build new bridges carrying US-281 over the Colorado River at Marble Falls. The Texas Department of Transportation has set a budget of close to US$30 million to replace the existing Lake Marble Falls Bridge with two new bridges.
March 22, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
New twin bridges at Marle Falls in Texas will carrying US 281 over the Colorado River - image courtesy of Guy Tuttle
In the US state of Texas, work is in hand to build new bridges carrying US-281 over the Colorado River at Marble Falls.

The 3499 Texas Department of Transportation has set a budget of close to US$30 million to replace the existing Lake Marble Falls Bridge with two new bridges. This crossing is some 80km from Austin and the project requires the demolition of the existing steel truss bridge and the construction of twin segmental bridges. The new bridges will be built using the balanced cantilever construction method with end spans constructed on falsework.

Finley Engineering Group (FINLEY) carried out a time-dependent staged analysis of the structure to monitor stresses and expected deflection during construction. The firm revised the segment layout and optimised the post-tensioning layout, which reduced costs and construction time. The analysis process included developing a model, which used Bridge Information Modeling (BrIM). This allowed the synchronisation of the CADD shop drawings with the analysis model, to meet the contractor’s fast-pace construction schedule. The first of the new bridges is under construction at present and is due for completion in mid 2012. The second bridge will be finished in 2014. Archer-Western Contractors is building the two structures and FINLEY’s portion of the project includes bridge design and a full construction engineering package.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Key Florida highway link wins major award
    July 2, 2014
    A major highway connection project located in Tampa, Florida has won a 2014 Outstanding Project Award from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers (FICE). The link was opened in January 2014 and was engineered by designer Atkins. The 1.6km-long I-4/Selmon Connector links I-4 with the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. The US$425 million Connector now carries over 24,000 vehicles/day, which includes some 2,000 heavy vehicles/day. With the construction of the
  • THIS is a Paving Project– The I-15 CORE
    December 20, 2012
    Provo, Utah – The scope of the I-15 Corridor Expansion Project (I-15 CORE) in the state of Utah is nearly unprecedented because of the size of the project and the short completion deadline. Twenty-four miles (38.6 km) of removal and replacement of Interstate 15 between Lehi and Spanish Fork, widening the number of traveling lanes by two, for up to six lanes in each direction in 35 months. The new 364 lane miles (586 km) of concrete roadway will be slipformed 12 or 12.5 inches (305 or 318 mm) thick for a tot
  • Barrier innovation putting traffic safety and flow first
    April 3, 2014
    Cutting-edge barriers offering greater safety at the same time as limiting traffic disruption are proving in demand on busy world highways, as Guy Woodford reports Small footprint; minimum disruption after impact; lower labour costs; all said to be elements contributing to the growing popularity of the Trend terminal from Trinity Highway Products. This family of end terminals offers a range of safe and efficient solutions to barrier ends with quick and easy assembly and installation. Trinity claims th
  • Israel's new tunnel project
    April 20, 2012
    The Israel National Roads Company is opening the tender process for the project to drive new tunnels on Road no 1.