Category: Monthly Webinar PennDOT’s First SPMT Bridge Move: Shaler Street Bridge

April 16, 2020 1:00 pm

Louis J. Ruzzi, P.E., District Bridge Engineer, District 11-0, PennDOT; Matthew E. Cochran, P.E., Senior Structural Engineer (Design), H.W. Lochner, Inc.; Shane Szalankiewicz, P.E., Structure Control Engineer, District 11-0, PennDOT; and Q&A panel members: Jason Zang, P.E., Assistant District Executive, Construction, PennDOT; Bob Collins, P.E., Design Project Manager, PennDOT; Jim McKnight, Assistant Construction Manager, PennDOT; Bob Yarup, Project Inspector-In-Charge, PennDOT; Cary Basinger, P.E., Project Manager, Swank; Dave Yeager, Superintendent, Swank; Chris West, P.E., Consultant Project Manager (Design), H.W. Lochner, Inc.; Joe Primo, Project Manager (Construction Management), Michael Baker International; Aaron Pickering, P.E., Assistant Project Manager (Construction Management), Michael Baker International; Christina Angelo, EIT, Construction Engineering Technician (Construction Management), Construction Consultant Services, Inc.; Michelle Hinds, P.E., Scheduler (Construction Management), SAI Consulting Engineers, Inc.; and Norm Arlet, Inspector Supervisor, SAI Consulting Engineers, Inc.

Webinar Documents:
PennDOT’s First SPMT Bridge Move: Shaler Street Bridge - pdf of presentation
Slide 19: Animation of Shaler Street Bridge Construction (courtesy of H.W. Lochner, Inc.)
Slide 31: Time-Lapse, Shaler Street Bridge Construction (courtesy of H.W. Lochner, Inc.)
Slide 32: News Clip, 11/04/2019 (courtesy of KDKA CBS Pittsburgh)

Q&A Session – pdf
Reference for Question 24: PennDOT Publication 408 - Section 704, Cement Concrete
Reference for Question 24: PennDOT Publication 408 - Section 1001, Cement Concrete Structures
Reference for Question 29: Contract Plans for Shaler Street Bridge Project

News - April 16, 2020 - pdf of presentation

Description: The 2019 Shaler Street Bridge Replacement Project in Pittsburgh, PA was PennDOT’s first use of the Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) technology. The use of this technology was made possible by a $400,000 grant from FHWA. The SPMTs placed two 70-ft-long steel girder superstructure spans, creating a new two-span bridge as a replacement for the existing three-span bridge crossing SR 19. This move was unique because of the complicated site conditions in an urban area. The new superstructure spans were erected on temporary abutments in an adjacent parking lot. Each span was built on a 14% grade to match existing conditions. The move day was coordinated with ongoing SR 19 roadway reconstruction project activities and around Pittsburgh Steeler home football games. Varying cross slopes and steep vertical grades on the roadway required construction of a temporary compacted stone move path, which carried the superstructure spans over the newly constructed substructures units, under aerial utilities, and past an adjacent building with only a 13-inch horizontal clearance. This presentation will discuss choosing the right location, design and construction details, public outreach, and lessons learned.

 Presentation Photos/Graphics:

1) Existing Shaler Street Bridge

2) Span 2 leaving the staging area

3) Span 2 approaching final location

4) Span 1 minimum horizontal clearance

5) Shaler Street Bridge move complete

6) Shaler Street Bridge complete with closure pours