Bridge Inspection without Traffic Disruptions - Installation of a Motorized Bridge Inspection Traveler Platform beneath the Burlington-Bristol Bridge

摘要

In today's economic climate - of making every infrastructure dollar count - it is critically important to properly inspect and maintain our older long span bridges. Routine bridge inspections and maintenance not only provide the user with a safer structure, but also provides the owner with a bridge that will stand the test of time. Bridge inspection/maintenance procedures, however, can be costly to the owner and a major inconvenience to the user when access to the underside of the structure can only be achieved from inspection vehicles parked on the bridge deck. Travel lane closures to complete the required work can cause significant safety and traffic problems, especially on narrow bridges. To address these concerns, the Burlington County Bridge Commission made the decision to install a motorized rolling traveler platform beneath its Burlington-Bristol Bridge. The Burlington-Bristol Bridge is a long span moveable toll structure that crosses the Delaware River, connecting southeastern Pennsylvania with New Jersey. The bridge carries two 10' travel lanes and a 4' sidewalk, thus requiring a night time bridge closure when inspection or construction access vehicles, such as snoopers, are required. The traveler system was installed on the Burlington-Bristol Bridge during the summer of 2009. When suspended from the underside of the bridge, the traveler platform will be guided by motorized carriages that will travel along steel track beams. The total travel range of the platform is 940' and includes access to the 540' moveable vertical lift main span and the two adjacent 200' tower spans. When needed, the traveler platform will be lifted in place from a small boat along the river, eliminating traffic disruptions on the bridge, and used for bridge inspection, maintenance and repairs. It will only occupy the underside of the bridge when being used; once work is complete it will be removed. The traveler platform will greatly benefit the owner as well as the user by providing a more economical, safer and non-disruptive underside inspection and repair alternative when compared to past procedures that required travel lane closures.