AIT Bridges’ composite bridge system for West Coast
August 28, 2020 - United States Of America
AIT Bridges, a division of Advanced Infrastructure Technologies (AIT), a designer of composite bridge systems and structural components for commercial construction, has supplied the first composite arch bridge system to the West Coast, Washington. The bridge comprises 12 fibreglass composite arches and can be cut and then easily reassembled on site.
This bridge comprises 12 fibreglass composite arches manufactured at AIT’s Brewer, Maine facility. Its construction marks several milestones. The bridge’s arches span 51 feet and were cut in half to facilitate cross-country shipping. The bridge required no transportation permits due to its ability to be cut and then easily reassembled on site.
This bridge will also help facilitate the restoration of the stream that it traverses. The stream under the previous bridge was approximately five feet wide. It will now be widened and restored to its previous size of 20 feet to accommodate the return of fish and other wildlife to the area.
Developed in cooperation with The University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Centre, AIT Bridges’ product offerings have been commercially available and installed since 2010. Its composite arch bridge system uses concrete-filled composite tubes and FRP decking, providing an affordable and superior alternative to traditional steel and concrete small-to medium-sized bridges.
“It took some planning to achieve the transportation and assembly of the first ever composite bridge system to the West Coast. We saved time and money by splicing the bridge arches as they were trucked across the country. No permits, no road closures and now that the materials are on site, we are looking at an expedited bridge building process,” said Ken Sweeney, president and chief engineer, AIT Bridges. “This bridge is also ushering in a new era for the stream it crosses. Wildlife restoration is an important perk of this particular project. We look forward to seeing the completed span open for traffic this fall.”
The bridge’s construction is expected to be completed in September 2020.
This bridge comprises 12 fibreglass composite arches manufactured at AIT’s Brewer, Maine facility. Its construction marks several milestones. The bridge’s arches span 51 feet and were cut in half to facilitate cross-country shipping. The bridge required no transportation permits due to its ability to be cut and then easily reassembled on site.
This bridge will also help facilitate the restoration of the stream that it traverses. The stream under the previous bridge was approximately five feet wide. It will now be widened and restored to its previous size of 20 feet to accommodate the return of fish and other wildlife to the area.
Developed in cooperation with The University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Centre, AIT Bridges’ product offerings have been commercially available and installed since 2010. Its composite arch bridge system uses concrete-filled composite tubes and FRP decking, providing an affordable and superior alternative to traditional steel and concrete small-to medium-sized bridges.
“It took some planning to achieve the transportation and assembly of the first ever composite bridge system to the West Coast. We saved time and money by splicing the bridge arches as they were trucked across the country. No permits, no road closures and now that the materials are on site, we are looking at an expedited bridge building process,” said Ken Sweeney, president and chief engineer, AIT Bridges. “This bridge is also ushering in a new era for the stream it crosses. Wildlife restoration is an important perk of this particular project. We look forward to seeing the completed span open for traffic this fall.”
The bridge’s construction is expected to be completed in September 2020.