Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Maryland Avenue Bridge Documentary
“On the project, we required the contractor to move a bridge deck with the SPMTs (Self
Propelled Modular Transporter). So this morning we picked it up with the Self Propelled Modular,
the machine behind me with all the tires on it, picked it up and moved it onto the highway
and later today we are going to move it down to the bridge pier and abutments. We have
an advantage that it is a safer situation for the workers and the traveling public.
One, for the workers, they don’t have the risk of traffic underneath the bridge as they’re
building it. It is safer for the public also not having something above them being constructed.
Another advantage that we have is a bridge like this normally takes over a hundred days;
from the time you take it down to the time you open traffic. This bridge, from the time
we take the bridge down to the time we open traffic will be completed in 60 days. The
other impact that we have is that on 35E is there is going to be less lane closures because
the bridge wasn’t built over traffic.” “This technology will work out well here.
We have additional right-of-way with the Maryland Avenue Truck Station along 35E that we were
able to build the bridge, the bridge farm or the bridge staging areas we call it with
this project and have the room to roll it in. We were successful in securing some federal
funds to help with the additional cost for trying out this technology here. With these
federal funds, were able to try this out. It will help us understand some of the challenges
of using this technology and applying lessons learned to future projects where we might
use it again.” “At MnDOT, we have this vision for our agency
and our state; we want to be a global leader and a have a world class transportation system
in our state. A key part of that is innovation and how we use innovation. That’s what this
really represents. This is our first attempt to do this and it will represent this concept
of innovation that we want to instill in our culture and the community in our state. I
think that’s what this is.” “Everything’s worked pretty well. We did
this job on design-build. The contract was very good. We haven’t had any major problems
and so far we are still on track to open in 60 days.”
“A Self Propelled Modular Transporter will also be used in Hastings to bring the new
tied arch main span of the Hastings Bridge onto the barges in the Mississippi River.
Then the barges will float that main span into place.”
“Well, you know, when we bring these concepts forward, any kind of innovation like this,
sometimes there’s a little angst about it but what we’ve learned today and seen today
is that it’s tremendous cooperation to make this successful. We all want to make this
succeed. We all want to see this continue as part of our programs in the future. And
again, it’s a critical piece of our commitment to innovation.”