March 18, 2021 1:00 pm
Greg A. Malatek, P.E., Public Works Director, City of New Braunfels; Nicholas Nemec, P.E., Senior Engineer, Modjeski and Masters; Jorge Hinojosa, P.E., General Manager, Bexar Concrete Works; and Q&A panel member John Holt, P.E., Senior Project Manager, Modjeski and Masters
Webinar Documents:
San Antonio Street/Comal River Bridge Rehabilitation – Accelerated Schedule with Precast Elements - pdf of presentation
Q&A Session - pdf
News - March 18, 2021 - pdf of presentation
Description: The Comal River Bridge was built in 1923 and, like many bridges of its age, needed significant safety improvements to keep the bridge operational. The spandrel arch bridge is located at a popular recreational destination; it was important to minimize river and road closure times. The project team of Capital Excavation, Bexar Concrete Works, and Modjeski and Masters proposed precasting unprecedented and very large bent frames and modified exterior beams with precast overhangs to accelerate construction. The project was completed in 2020, successfully and ahead of schedule. The rehabilitated bridge is now 48 feet wide with two vehicle lanes and an 8-foot-wide pedestrian sidewalk on each side. In addition, the bridge, with its new precast concrete bent frames and spans, now allows emergency and other heavy vehicles to cross the bridge, providing faster response time to critical care situations. This presentation includes design, fabrication, and construction details as well as lessons learned.
Presentation Photos/Graphics:
1) Original structure (courtesy of the Texas Department of Transportation)
2) Setting precast bent frames (courtesy of Modjeski and Masters)
3) Cast-in-place concrete keys (courtesy of Modjeski and Masters)
4) Setting modified exterior beam (courtesy of the Texas Department of Transportation)
5) Complete structure (courtesy of Modjeski and Masters)