Accelerated Construction

Accelerated construction uses various techniques and technologies to help reduce construction time while enhancing/maintaining safety and quality.

1/11/10 2009 Domestic Scan of Accelerated Construction Practices

In 2009 the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) completed a domestic scan of accelerated construction practices for pavement and bridge construction projects. The scan tour visited 8 cities in 5 States and resulted in the identification of accelerated construction best practices in the areas of partnering, design, planning, and contracting strategies, and a set of case studies that demonstrate how projects can be successfully delivered much more rapidly.

Best Practices in Accelerated Construction Techniques Scan Report (PDF 19.1MB)
"Scanning the Country for Best Practices in Accelerated Construction", article in August 2009 issue of FHWA Focus

Accelerated Construction Technology Transfer Program

The Accelerating Construction Technology Transfer (ACTT) Program promotes the use of innovative technologies and techniques to accelerate the construction of major highway projects or corridor improvements using a multidisciplinary team approach.

ACTT Web Site
ACTT Workshop Toolkit - Assists State highway agencies in hosting ACTT workshops.
Article in July 2009 Focus About the ACTT Workshop Toolkit
Accelerated Construction Technology Transfer: Building on Success - This 2006 ACTT program annual report describes projects underway that were analyzed using the ACTT process and includes information on successes and lessons learned.
Article in January/February 2007 Focus about the ACTT program - This article discusses workshops that have been held to date under the ACTT program and notes that most of the projects that have been let under this program have seen a reduction of planned construction time by 30 percent or more.

Pre-Fabricated Bridge Elements and Systems

Prefabricated bridge elements and systems offer bridge designers and contractors significant advantages in terms of construction time, safety, environmental impact, constructability, and cost.

Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs)

SPMTs have been used to accelerate bridge construction, as shown in these examples.

Manual on Use of Self-Propelled Modular Transporters to Remove and Replace Bridges - FHWA developed this manual, which provides details from project conception to completion for using SPMTs to remove or install a bridge. It describes equipment, lists benefits and costs, and identifies criteria to help determine when this technology is appropriate. Also included are example calculations, diagrams, plan sheets, and specifications, as well as case studies of bridges moved with SPMTs.
- FHWA Focus Article about the Manual
AASHTO Technology Implementation Group Web Site on SPMTs - This web site provides information and resources about SPMTs.
SPMT Brochure (PDF, 1.87MB) - This brochure, developed by AASHTO, describes SMPTs and the benefits of using them.
I-215 Bridge in Salt Lake City, Utah - The new I-215 Bridge in Salt Lake City was built adjacent to the existing bridge but away from traffic and was moved into place using SPMT technology over one weekend. This is the first time that the Utah DOT has used SPMT, but they have plans to use it for many more projects in the future.
FHWA Focus Article on Florida DOT Graves Avenue Bridge Project - The Graves Avenue project is the first time the SPMT technique was used to replace a bridge over an interstate highway in America.
Development of SPMT How-To Manual (PDF, 594KB) - This presentation, given at the 2006 Florida DOT Design Conference, discusses the Graves Avenue Bridge project and the development of a manual being written to document the critical components required to effectively use SPMTs to remove & install bridges.
Bridge Deck Replacement Project Using SPMTs - In a joint project between the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Washington Department of Transportation, SPMTs were used to widen and replace the deteriorating deck of the Lewis and Clark Bridge on State Route 433 over the Columbia River between Washington & Oregon with a full-depth precast concrete deck, while maintaining full rush-hour traffic.

Examples

Utah I-215 Rapid Bridge Removal and Replacement Project
Utah DOT was awarded a $1 million grant from FHWA's Highways for LIFE Program to demonstrate the use of proven, innovative technologies for accelerated bridge reconstruction (ABC). This report documents the ABC techniques used to remove and replace the 4500 South Bridge on State Route 266 over I-215 in Salt Lake City over a weekend. Using the ABC techniques added approximately $0.8 million to the initial construction cost and saved about $3.24 million in road user costs. Because of the success of this project, UDOT has decided to use ABC techniques more routinely on future projects and has set a goal of making ABC standard practice for all bridges by 2010.

24^th Street Overpass Bridge Construction in Iowa
Through the use of Highways for LIFE (HfL) innovations to accelerate construction, the $12.5 million 24^th Street overpass bridge in Council Bluffs, Iowa was constructed in 1 year rather than the standard 2 years. Innovations included the use of full-depth pre-cast deck panels that reduced the hazard of working over live interstate traffic and improved traffic flow during construction; cost plus time bidding (A+B bidding) that shortened construction time by enabling IDOT to select the most efficient bid; and high performance concrete that should increase performance and long-term durability.

Innovations Speed Iowa Bridge Construction, article in October 2008 issue of Innovator

Minnesota I-35W Bridge Reconstruction
Minnesota was able to complete reconstruction of the new I-35W bridge in 11 months due to a number of accelerated construction strategies. These strategies included using prefabricated concrete segments; having one person in charge throughout the entire project, instead of different managers for the environmental assessment, design, and construction phases; maintaining close coordination between agencies; having full closure of the project area; and offering $27 million in incentives for finishing before the December 2008 deadline.

Learning Lessons from Speedy 35 Bridge Work, article on StarTribune.com, October 6, 2008
I-35W Bridge Web Site

Use of Rapid Replacement in Virginia Projects
Using Highways for LIFE Grants, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is piloting innovative construction techniques and technologies on two projects. One project will evaluate two precast concrete pavement technologies. Results are not yet available for this project. For the other project, VDOT used prefabricated bridge elements constructed off-site and assembled on-site during weekend closures to speed construction of a three-span, two-lane southbound bridge. The use of accelerated construction techniques on this project resulted in a reduction in project time from 100 days to three weekend closures and led to cost savings of more than $2 million. Using accelerated construction techniques also helped the project meet performance goals for safety, construction congestion, and user satisfaction.

Caltrans Long-life Pavement Rehabilitation Strategies (LLPRS) Program
Caltrans began implementing its Long-Life Pavement Rehabilitation Strategies (LLPRS) program in 1998. While LLPRS is not specifically an accelerated construction strategy, many of the projects that have been completed as part of the program have used a variety of strategies to accelerate construction. The goal of the LLPRS program is to rebuild approximately 2,800 lane-km of high volume urban freeway with pavements that are designed to last more than thirty years with minimal maintenance. The LLPRS Program also addresses the state's need for cost effective approaches for rebuilding the aging pavements in its urban highway network.

Caltrans LLPRS Web Site
Caltrans Construction Analysis for Pavement Rehabilitation Strategies (CA4PRS) Web Site - Developed as a LLPRS planning tool, CA4PRS software estimates how much pavement can be rehabilitated or reconstructed under different traffic closure strategies, considering project design and constraints and the number of lanes closed.
Example: I-15 Devore Project - Innovative construction methods were used on this LLPRS project, enabling Caltrans to cut the project from 10 months to 19 days.

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