The replacement of the Merchants Bridge deck truss spans was a challenging, yet edifying project. Constructing the new structure while providing uninterrupted access to the existing structure required thoughtful deliberation in how the structure could be realistically designed and constructed. With the ever-aging railroad infrastructure and a high demand for the continued flow of traffic over these structures, it is evident that innovative and creative means of construction are vital to the rehabilitation and replacement of older railroad structures such as the Merchants Bridge. Increasingly congested areas of construction and larger design loads, which tend to require larger foundations, provide opportunities for the consideration of unique design solutions. The use of micropile, the tailored geometry and the atypical construction sequence are a few of those solutions that were utilized for this project. Ongoing communication and teamwork between all parties involved also proved to be a valuable factor in making this project an overall success.
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