Overview
Timmons Group performed the Bridge Safety Inspection (BSI) and a load rating of the Commerce Road bridge. During inspection, the team observed advanced deterioration on the fracture-critical steel pier caps supporting the superstructure. Timmons Group promptly reached out to the City to recommend that additional load rating analysis be performed to determine the safe load carrying capacity of the piers. The results of the load rating indicated that the structure, located in a heavily industrial corridor, would need to be closed to truck traffic.
Timmons Group coordinated with the City and on-call contractor to have the bridge temporarily closed for repairs. We then immediately worked with the contractor to design a shoring system for the pier caps. The contractor was mobilized within 36 hours, and one lane of the bridge was re-opened within two weeks. Timmons Group provided construction administration and inspection during the repair work. As a testament to the fast response and performance of this project, it was awarded the Project of the Year at the annual Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance (VTCA) Conference.
