Bridge Rehabilitation Program

TECHNICAL CHALLENGE: Major Highway Corridor Bridge Rehabilitation

In the early 1990s, we completed a rehab of 22 bridges on I-15 from Spanish Fork to Santaquin. This project allowed our company to learn what we needed to know to get the rehab job on I-80; which was our largest contract at that time. This massive transportation infrastructure project required advanced bridge rehabilitation techniques while maintaining traffic flow on Utah's critical I-15 corridor.

Engineering Complexity:

  • 22 bridge structures requiring individual structural assessment and rehabilitation design
  • Traffic management engineering maintaining 4-lane capacity during construction operations
  • Structural restoration utilizing advanced concrete repair and post-tensioning techniques
  • Accelerated construction methods minimizing public disruption and economic impact
  • Load rating improvements accommodating increased truck traffic and loads
  • Seismic retrofit integration upgrading structures to current earthquake resistance standards

Bridge Rehabilitation Technologies:

  • Advanced concrete restoration including polymer-modified overlay systems
  • Structural steel rehabilitation with high-performance coating systems and member replacement
  • Post-tensioning upgrades enhancing structural capacity and service life extension
  • Deck replacement techniques utilizing precast elements and accelerated construction
  • Bearing replacement with modern elastomeric and pot bearing systems
  • Joint rehabilitation improving ride quality and preventing water infiltration

PROJECT RESULTS: Foundation for Transportation Excellence

Infrastructure Achievement:

  • 22 bridges successfully rehabilitated extending service life by 30+ years
  • Enhanced structural capacity accommodating increased traffic loads and volumes
  • Traffic flow maintained throughout construction with minimal delays
  • Zero safety incidents during complex highway construction operations
  • Advanced techniques mastered leading to I-80 contract and continued UDOT partnerships

Client Engineering Testimonials: "On the several projects we have worked with [Gerber], including the Project from Ballard to Jensen and the Green River Bridge on SR-88, I have been so pleased with [Gerber's] expertise and workmanship. I have been really impressed with [Gerber's] quality standards and attention to detail" - Jack N. Lyman, UDOT Resident Engineer

"The structures that UDOT asked [Gerber] to repair were completed ahead of schedule and met all of our required specifications. The quality of work, and the safety precautions that [Gerber] workers took while completing the project exceeded our expectations" - Mike Ellis, UDOT Structural Maintenance Coordinator

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE FOR TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS:

Bridge Engineering Specialization:

  • AASHTO LRFD design standards for bridge rehabilitation and capacity enhancement
  • Advanced materials technology including high-performance concrete and steel systems
  • Non-destructive testing techniques for structural condition assessment
  • Load rating and analysis utilizing current specifications and advanced modeling

Transportation Construction Management:

  • Maintenance of traffic engineering for major highway construction projects
  • Accelerated construction techniques minimizing public disruption
  • Quality assurance protocols for long-term infrastructure performance
  • UDOT partnership development essential for transportation career advancement

ENGINEERING SOLUTION: Advanced Transportation Infrastructure Restoration

Structural Assessment and Design:

  • Non-destructive testing including ground-penetrating radar and core sampling for condition assessment
  • Load rating analysis utilizing current AASHTO LRFD specifications for capacity evaluation
  • Finite element modeling for complex stress analysis and rehabilitation design optimization
  • Fatigue analysis for steel components under high-cycle loading conditions
  • Seismic vulnerability assessment and retrofit design for earthquake resistance

Advanced Construction Techniques:

  • Staged construction methodology maintaining traffic capacity through construction zones
  • Accelerated bridge construction utilizing precast elements and rapid-setting materials
  • Specialized equipment deployment including bridge-mounted cranes and under-bridge platforms
  • Quality control protocols ensuring long-term performance under heavy traffic loading
  • Environmental protection measures during construction over waterways and sensitive areas

Traffic Engineering Coordination:

  • Maintenance of traffic plans coordinated with UDOT and local agencies
  • Work zone safety systems including positive protection barriers and advanced warning
  • Construction scheduling optimized for traffic patterns and seasonal considerations

Public communication programs minimizing community and business disruption