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| Caltrans becomes the latest state agency to mark a new length record (158.5 ft.) for “trailered” precast/prestressed girders, following similar milestones since 2010 in Minnesota (175 ft.), Pennsylvania (167 ft.), Texas (166 ft.), Utah (195 ft.) and Washington (205 ft.). |
As part of California Department of Transportation’s $1.6 billion Santa Ana Freeway (Interstate 5) South Corridor Improvement Project, Oldcastle Precast-Perris is fabricating 158.5-ft. prestressed concrete super girders for the Norwalk-San Antonio Bridge—built in stages entailing placement of seven, four and nine beams.
Security Paving of Sylmar, Calif., awarded Oldcastle Precast a contract requiring 7-ft. tall, wide flange girders cast with 8,500-psi design strength mixes. The 100-ton super girders are the longest precast/prestressed bridge members to date on a project for Caltrans, an agency with a deep inventory of cast-in-place, post-tensioned box girder structures. The Norwalk-San Antonio Bridge combines the beams with cast-in-place decking and transverse abutments, netting what project officials note are decreased construction time, improved safety for construction personnel and the public; improved structural performance and durability; and, cost savings.
With a scheduled late-2015 completion, the Santa Ana Freeway South Corridor Improvement Project will see roadway and bridge widening for new High Occupancy Vehicle and general purpose lanes. Work spans a nearly seven-mile stretch from the Los Angeles County/Orange County line to Interstate 605.