Speaking

The traveling public is demanding increased mobility while displaying less tolerance for delays, increased travel times, and inconvenience because of congestion. This is forcing designers to become more creative with the maintenance of traffic (MOT) during construction. This presentation will highlight some innovative strategies to add to the MOT toolbox, including freeway re-alignment, use of interchange ramps to divert traffic, and even new interchange configurations. These examples will be highlighted through several case study examples. 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) recognized significant deficiencies in two of their cable stay (CS) bridges across the Ohio River. Burgess & Niple’s team (B&N) was selected to inspect, perform non-destructive testing (NDT), and generate rehabilitation plans to extend the service life and preservation of the two structures. The William H. Natcher Bridge is a cable stay structure measuring 4,505 feet in length. It is supported by 96 stay cables connected to two identical diamond-shaped towers: each 374 feet tall. At the time of its construction in 2002, it was the longest stay cable-supported bridge over an inland waterway in the U.S. The William H. Harsha Bridge is 2,420 feet in length. The superstructure of the Harsha Bridge is supported by 80 stay cables connected to two identical two-plane semi-harped towers.

Specialized testing procedures included invasive testing, NDT, technical rope access, and UAS/Drones to ascertain the conditions of the cable stay systems. The tests identified significant deficiencies, including cracking in the stay cable piping, grout voids at the connection sleeves, and exposed stay cable tendons. Additionally, signs of water intrusion into the stay cable piping and anchors were evident. Project work is ongoing, repair options and associated cost estimates are being evaluated, and rehabilitation plans will be developed to address the identified deficiencies on these signature structures. 

This presentation will share how effective streambank stabilization techniques and funding resources can be used to protect your roadways. Presenters will explain how to select the most effective stream bank restoration technique: natural channel design, traditional engineering, or both. Attendees will also learn how to maximize water quality and asset protection through stream bank stabilization using case studies that compare cost, form, and function. Finally, we will review funding opportunities for the proposed green strategies.

Agencies have heard several presentations on the Safe System Approach (SSA), but several are still left wondering how to apply it in practice. The Baltimore Metropolitan Council led a staff workshop last August to understand how to apply the Safe System elements (safe roads, safe speeds, safe road users, post-crash care, safe vehicles, equity, and culture) to their organizational practices to reduce severe crashes. The next step in their process is to collaborate with three local agencies in the region to identify how SSA can be more thoroughly integrated into local plans, policies, processes and project identification. This presentation will highlight the findings for how local agencies can more thoroughly consider the SSA. 

Burgess & Niple inspectors are using augmented reality (AR), drones, and 3D digital twins, to align, overlay, and scale 3D models and photos to the structure while on site. Utilizing immersive reality headsets, field and office personnel have access to files, photos, 3D models, and other resources to minimize human subjectivity and give contractors accurate, to-scale visuals of repairs. Improving the overall productivity and quality of deliverables will lead to lower lifecycle costs for owners. 

This presentation will discuss the innovations, considerations, and design and construction challenges of reconstructing a roadway and bridge across a quarter-mile peat deposit; while dealing with an Amish community and a tourist season. The project on SR 5 in Shipshewana will highlight its use of partial depth cold-in-place recycled paving, lightweight/ floating concrete, and continuously reinforced PCC pavement. We will also discuss the coordination with locals, tourists, and the Amish.