Skip to main content

Thousands of small cracks have halted Pensacola Bay Bridge construction twice. FDOT says they are safe

Pensacola Bay Bridge

Photo: Florida Department of Transportation.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has addressed thousands of cracks that have been found in the newly poured concrete of the Pensacola Bay Bridge, calling the cracks “superficial,” and “not structural.”

According to a report from the Pensacola News Journal, FDOT called a press conference to discuss the cracks after reports surfaced that work on the $400 million bridge replacement project, the largest such project in North Florida history, had been stopped on two occasions “because of cracks in the concrete.”

Director of Transportation Development, Jared Perdue, P.E., and Eisman & Russo Construction Engineering Inspection Program Director Brett Pielstick, P.E., were on hand to field questions about the cracks.

Pielstick stated that the cracks are less than 1 centimeter wide, varying from 3 inches to 18 inches long. The cracks were found in nine sections of the concrete during an inspection, with anywhere between 300 and 1,300 cracks in each section. About one mile of concrete has been poured on the project as of last week.

Pielstick assured reporters that cracks like those seen in the new Bay Bridge were “common” in large bridge projects and are caused by a mixture of things, including the weather. Pielstick said concrete placement on the bridge was halted so that engineers to reevaluate the issue and put new methods in place.

According to the News Journal, contractor Skanska Civil USA South poured the bridge decks “about half an inch above the required height.” Pielstick said most of the cracks are so insignificant that they will be buffed out by machines used to smooth the bridge surface.

“These are not structural cracks, they are superficial cracks,” he said.

Pielstick and Perdue said no prior announcement had been made about the cracks and work stoppages because “FDOT officials did not believe the public was in any danger from cracks.” However, Jeff Bergosh, chairman of the Escambia County Commission, said while he trusts what Perdue and Pielstick have said about the severity of the cracking, he would have liked to have been made aware of the issue after the second work stoppage.

“I’m not a structural engineer, but I think after the second stoppage, they should have notified the TPO (Transportation Planning Organization),” Bergosh told the News Journal.

The project is on-schedule for the eastbound bridge to be completed in early 2019.

 



from Equipment World https://ift.tt/2vmcac9
via Handy Rep Ai

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Raleigh N.C. 540 outer loop faces environmental legal fight

The map above shows the 540 extension’s general location. Credit: NCDOT Environmental groups have filed a petition challenging the planned path of a future outer loop around Raleigh, North Carolina, due to concerns about the effect on nearby waterways that are home to endangered mussels. The $2.2 billion toll highway, an extension of N.C. 540, would complete the southern portion of an expressway outer loop. The construction contract for the first phase was awarded in December , and the N.C. Division of Water Quality recently issued an environmental permit for the project. The Southern Environmental Law Center , along with other environmental groups, is petitioning for an administrative hearing to challenge the environmental permit. The SELC says the proposed highway would “tear through 57,000 linear feet of streams and 70 acres of wetlands.” The groups are also concerned about increased stormwater runoff from the additional pavement from the highway, as well as more greenhouse em...

Indian Interior fit-out market-Opportunities for Construction Professionals

With the steady growth in the demand for the commercial real estate, the interior turnkey solution market has witnessed a progressive trend in their sector. As commercial space demand surges, the sector is expected to further witness a tremendous opportunity to leverage in coming years. Today, various start-ups, collaborative workspaces and other offices, be it an established business or a new company opt for complete fit-out services. As one-stop solution overcomes the hassle of limited time constraint, Turnkey is a perfect solution for all commercial interiors problems. Though start-ups and new offices make up an impressive portfolio, old and established companies too prefer refurbishing their interiors. Companies are focusing on their workspace design to increase employee satisfaction, boost productivity and provide a comfortable working environment. With the visible transition in the Indian work culture, office furniture and interiors have seen a major evoluti...

Walk-In Interview for Overseas on 2nd May 2018 | Travel Point HR Solutions India | 5 – 25 yrs | Chennai

Walk-In Interview on 2nd May 2018 at Chennai for Overseas Location Saudi Arabia  Candidates should be B.E/ B.Tech / Degree with Min 5 yrs of Exp Candidates from sea water Destination and power Production Walk-In Interview on Wednesday 2nd May 2018 Venue: Travel Point HR Solutions India APJ Buinesss center, 12 Haddows Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai Tamil Nadu – 600006 Contact : MS : Waseema – 9704675049 / 040-33151524                  Mr. Samee – 8886644854 / 040- 33151523 Email Address: e ngineers@travelpointhr.com Electrical Engineer 36 Openings Implementation of policies and procedure Supervising the working staff and updating the periodic maintenance schedule with the concerned parties as their polices following the programs and the working table of preventing maintenance Achieving and following repairing works and the daily maintenance to secure that they matching the required quality according the stander maint...