An inferno from an oil tanker compromised a bridge over Interstate 95 near downtown Norwalk, Conn., last May, ensnarling a significant transportation artery in closures and detours. The steel bridge industry’s swift response, though, limited highway disruptions to mere days and put a replacement bridge in motion almost immediately after the fire.
That replacement bridge, which carries Fairfield Avenue over I-95, reopened exactly seven months after the incident. It’s the latest example of the steel bridge industry’s collaboration and capacity to mobilize quickly in emergency repair and replacement situations.
“Every partner on this project overperformed the ambitious deadlines we set in May,” said Garrett Eucalitto, Connecticut Department of Transportation commissioner. “This is a remarkable achievement and demonstrates what we can get done for the traveling public when federal, state, and local partners share a common purpose.”
One crucial partner was AISC full-member fabricator Canam Bridges U.S., Inc. About a week after the fire, project general contractor Yonkers Contracting approached Canam to fabricate the replacement. Canam’s swift coordination with steel producers and prioritized and speedy fabrication helped it deliver the new bridge spans in mid-August, three months after the fire and less than two months after fabrication began. Girders were erected on August 15 and 16 with two days of around-the-clock work.
“This is a great example of what can be accomplished when government, contractors, and local leaders work together with a sense of urgency and purpose,” Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said. “Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the Connecticut Department of Transportation and our partnering contractors, we’ve been able to reopen the Fairfield Avenue Bridge ahead of schedule, under budget, and with a more modern design that will better serve the community for years to come.”
The new bridge has two spans, one with six 67-ft, 8-in. girders and the other with six 93-ft, 3-in. girders. All 12 are 39-in.-deep plate girders metalized with a three-coat paint system, and their combined weight is 132.35 tons.
“The project success stems from the cooperation of all team members, the mill, our subcontractors, the contractor, and the owner,” said Tony Matutis, Canam Bridge’s national sales director. “Canam Bridges U.S rescheduled other projects to make room for Fairfield and recognized the importance of that crossing to be reopened for the public as soon as possible. We are very proud of our Canam Bridges U.S. team in Claremont, N.H., who expedited this project.”