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From JPCL November 2016

Bridge of Firsts Celebrates $48M Rehab (Oct. 24)

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An important structure in the history of bridges has just undergone an extensive four-year, $48 million restoration.
 
Constructed in 1874, St. Louis, Mo.’s Eads Bridge was not only the world’s first steel bridge but also one of the first structures of any kind in the United States to use steel as a primary construction component, according to the City of St. Louis. It was also the first to use tubular cord members, and the first large-scale use of the cantilever technique in bridge construction.
 
Built by the St. Louis Bridge and Iron Company and named for its designer, James B. Eads, the structure was, at the time, the longest arch bridge in the world, at a length of 6,442 feet, GreatRiverRoad.com noted.
 
More than 140 years after its completion, the bridge continues to make history. Connecting downtown St. Louis to East St. Louis, the Eads remains the oldest bridge still in operation over the Mississippi River, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. And with rehabilitation now complete, Metro Transit – 
St. Louis expects it has extended the bridge’s lifespan by another 75 years.
 
Work on the bridge, which began in September 2012, was reportedly the first major rehabilitation of the structural steel, requiring crews to replace struts, bracing and other support steel that dated back to the 1920s or earlier. This needed 580 tons of steel, according to Metro Transit.
 
As many as nine layers of paint, rust and corrosion were blasted off the bridge, which required containment measures for environmental purposes. The bare metal was then primed with a rust inhibitor and topped with an anti-corrosion coating. About 7,500 gallons of protective coatings were used in the process, Metro Transit said.
 
Rebuilding the concrete that supports the road deck and sealing the steel structure with a protective coating, in addition to replacing track supports, track and rail ties, and patching masonry will all help to increase the expected lifespan.
 
 

What’s Got Us Talking

FEMA has proposed new rules that require new construction that uses federal money, including roads and bridges, to build at higher elevations, to mitigate flood-related risks. Is this the best way to address potential flood dangers? 
 
(PaintSquare News Weekly Poll, Oct. 3-9)
 
56% Yes. Flooding is an increasing problem and new construction needs to take into account more volatile weather.                                                                            
 
7% No. Builders will have to incur greater costs in building to code, resulting in overpriced buildings that don’t sell. This will ultimately hurt the regions it purports to be helping.                                                          
 
37% Building higher is good where possible, but these new regulations sound like they’ll cause more headaches than they’re worth.                                                       
 
 

PSN Top 10 (as of Oct. 31)

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Tagged categories: Bridges; Maintenance coating work; Project Management; Rehabilitation/Repair; The Buzz

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