Please make your reservations through George Gorrill at Michael Baker, Jr., Inc. @ (717) 221-2071 by Tuesday, September 23, 2003. You can also reach him via e-mail at ggorrill@mbakercorp.com.

PROGRAM ABSTRACT:Several unique challenges have been overcome during construction of a major $29.4 million project to rehabilitate a 4220-foot highway bridge crossing the Susquehanna River linking downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with the outlying West Shore. The re-decking scheme consists of overnight and weekend panelized replacement using concrete-filled steel grid deck, assuring the availability of all four existing travel lanes during daily peak traffic periods throughout the duration of construction. Re-decking was performed during limited duration nighttime or weekend total bridge closures while traffic was detoured. During a single construction season, the Contractor replaced nearly 230,00 SF of deck surface and performed bridge jacking to retrofit the 25 main river spans with seismic isolation bearings. This project marks the first time that PENNDOT has used either of these techniques on a large-scale major river crossing. Additional structural repairs include replacement of expansion joints, reconstruction of both sidewalks, widening to provide new bicycle lanes, new traffic barriers, replacement of the bridge lighting system using historical-style fixtures, and total bridge painting. The presentation will cover design and construction issues, focusing on the grid deck replacement and seismic isolation bearing replacement methods. A detailed discussion on bridge staging methods will be provided to explain how the work was performed while all four lanes remained open during daily peak traffic periods.

Mr. Leonard C. Bellanca, P.E. retired from G.A. & F.C. Wagman, Inc. in 2001. He continues to work part time, doing business as Leonard C. Bellanca, P.E., LLC. Mr. Bellanca is providing Wagman with planning and construction engineering services as necessary to perform the M. Harvey Taylor Rehabilitation Project.