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.
Road Structures

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Montreal’s Champlain Bridge superstructure deal signed with Canam-Bridge
    May 22, 2015
    Canada-based Canam-Bridge has been chosen to fabricate the superstructure for the Champlain bridge project in Montreal as well as to supply steel. Marc Dutil, chief executive of Canam, a specialist bridge superstructure fabricator, expects at least 45,000tonnes of steel will be required for the 3.4km bridge that will span the St. Lawrence River which leads to the Great Lakes of North America. The contract is expected to be completed after a formal deal is reached between the SNC-Lavalin consortium con
    Read More
  • Bridge and tunnel concrete testing vital for longevity
    July 9, 2012
    Modern technology is making testing more efficient and reliable, increasing productivity and reducing costs, as Patrick Smith reports A few years ago, visual inspection of an 18-year-old bridge by ARRB in Australia identified considerable cracking in the precast, prestressed deck planks as well as in the cast in situ deck overlay. Laboratory examination indicated that the deck planks and the deck overlay were suffering from a strong case of alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR). Testing of concrete cores drilled
    Read More
  • ARTBA sees growth for US transport construction
    December 5, 2017
    Steady growth in the US market for transport infrastructure construction in 2018. This prediction comes from a new report by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). The report suggests that the US transportation infrastructure market will rebound slightly next year, following a 2.8% drop in 2017.
    Read More
  • Norway’s massive Rogfast Tunnel project
    December 11, 2018
    The world's longest and deepest road tunnel is underway in western Norway - Adrian Greeman reports
    Read More

Highlighted Content