The John Blue Bridge needed a replacement due to structural deficiencies. As the designer for this bridge replacement, Mead & Hunt analyzed the existing location and its surrounding areas to design a suitable replacement for the existing structure that was not only durable, but also resulted in minimal disturbances to the surrounding project area. Our project team determined there was a nearby archaeologically sensitive area that would need to be at the forefront of our design. With that in mind, our team designed the bridge to be constructed adjacent to the existing bridge, resulting in a new 475-foot-long, three-span steel plate girder bridge.
Keeping traffic flow and the detour length of 20 miles in mind, our team’s design included plans to construct the superstructure and pier caps part-width to maintain bridge traffic during all stages of construction. The superstructure was supported on single circular pier columns and semi-integral abutments on vertical steel piles. In addition, two pile-lagging retaining walls were constructed. The team also performed bridge and roadway design, survey, hydraulic analysis, utility and agency coordination, and environmental permitting for this project.
