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Colorado River Crossing Glenwood Springs, Colorado The new Colorado River Crossing suspension bridge is the final link for the City of Glenwood Springs’ raw water system improvement project. The suspension bridge carries the raw water 24-in. diameter pipeline and treated water 10-in. diameter pipeline across the Colorado River. The new suspension bridge replaces the existing bridge with increased clearance and capacity for future upgrades. The main suspension cables span 440-ft. across the canyon mouth, over Interstate-70, the Colorado River and active railroad tracks. The suspension bridge spans 186-ft. across the Colorado River with the use of steel frames. Finley McNary teamed with Gould Construction for the fast-track design-build project. The biggest challenge of the project was constructing the new bridge without disrupting traffic on Interstate-70, use of the existing water pipeline and the railroad tracks. The existing thrust blocks were upgraded with additional rock anchors, reinforcing and concrete encasement. The new bridge was erected in ten steel frame modules. Each module was rolled into position on rails suspended from the existing bridge cables and then suspended from the new suspension cables. Once the geometry was adjusted and the new pipeline put into service, the new bridge was used to disassemble and remove the old bridge. The steel frame system was designed for use with a trolley system for removing the old bridge. Notice to Proceed for the project was given in July of 1999. The bridge design was completed by the beginning of September; construction started in October and was completed by January of 2000 Finley McNary provided the suspension bridge design, thrust block modification, shop drawings, steel frames fabrication drawings, geometry control, and on and off-site Technical Assistance Owner: City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Client: Gould Construction, Inc. |