Allegheny County Bridges – Rapid Bridge Replacement P3

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is implementing a large-scale public–private partnership Rapid Bridge Replacement (RBR) Program. The program encompasses the replacement of more than 500 bridges over three to five years. Under a separate contract, Lochner conducted preliminary studies (field inspections and office data analysis) to assist in determining which bridges should be included in the program.

To enable the program to start promptly once the contract was awarded, PennDOT completed preliminary work for each bridge scheduled for replacement in the first year to enable right-of-way to be purchased, environmental permits to be obtained, and utility coordination to commence before the RBR contract began. Under its on-call structural engineering contract with PennDOT District 11, Lochner was tasked with the preliminary work for four bridges in Allegheny County:

• SR 1013 over a branch of Little Pine Creek: an 11-foot-long concrete slab bridge that will be replaced with a box culvert
• SR 4017 over Little Pine Creek: a 41-foot-long, single-span steel beam bridge that will be replaced with a prestressed concrete structure
• SR 1001 over Bailey’s Run: a 42-foot-long, single-span concrete slab bridge that will be replaced with a prestressed concrete structure
• SR 1016 over Little Deer Creek: a 37-foot-long, single-span steel beam bridge that will be replaced with a prestressed concrete structure

For each bridge, Lochner conducted hydraulic analyses and prepared type, size, and location drawings and preliminary cost estimates for the structural replacement and associated roadway work. The SR 1001 bridge was adjacent to a Pennsylvania Railroad Company line, and Lochner coordinated with the railroad regarding potential temporary and permanent right of way impacts. Lochner also oversaw subconsultant coordination with state environmental agencies to obtain the required construction permits.