How to build a bridge in a year

This article describes a project to replace the Perry Street sand-filled concrete barrel-arch bridge in Toledo, Ohio, USA. Four design criteria were imposed: the new bridge had to look exactly like the old one, construction could not disturb the bottom of the river during April-June due to fish spawning, the new bridge had to be constructed on the same alignment and location as the existing bridge, and the old bridge had to be demolished and replaced with the new bridge in a single year. The piers were designed to be supported on piles that would be drilled through the existing pier bases. The piers were designed with precast caps. The superstructure consisted of three precast elements: pier modules, mid-span modules and end-span modules. The modules were designed using a combination of pre-tensioned and post-tensioned tendons. The roadway was closed on 1 February 2005 and opened on 29 October 2005. Details are given of the construction, module fabrication, erection and longitudinal and transverse stressing. (A)