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Market:
Bridges

Bridges are vital links that literally connect people, communities, and businesses. We focus on designing and maintaining bridges that allow people, goods, and services to move safely and efficiently to their destination.

  • Design
  • Construction Support
  • Management & Oversight

Our goal is to prolong the life of your bridge and make certain it operates smoothly and safely. We provide expansive and innovative bridge engineering services to achieve successful, cost-effective results. Our bridge team leadership is composed of engineers who are experienced in the design, rehabilitation, inspection, and evaluation of bridge structures.

We are thoroughly familiar with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) guidelines, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) operations, and National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) that relate to the design and inspection of highway structures. We also have considerable experience with the processes and procedures of state and local agencies.

 

We have experience in the following areas:

 

Bridges

  • Vehicular
  • Pedestrian
  • Railroad

 

Structures

  • Timber structures
  • Culverts
  • Retaining structures
  • Sound barriers
  • Overhead sign structures

 

Other

  • Bridge inspection
  • Load ratings and analysis
  • Repair/rehabilitation
  • Emergency repairs
  • Foundations
  • Geotechnical analysis/design
  • Subsurface investigation
  • Hydrology and hydraulics
  • Scour evaluation and mitigation

For Urban, "Bridge Out – Follow Detour" is not an option. We specialize in managing and inspecting the broad-based elements of construction and excel at finding solutions to complex staging and maintenance of traffic that accompanies modern bridge projects. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic must be accommodated, wildlife protected, and other environmental commitments met. We provide our clients with the resources to deliver these projects efficiently, meeting or exceeding the goals of time, cost, and quality.

 

Our experience with bridge construction and rehabilitation projects ranges from simple box culverts to new, multi-span, high-level, limited-access highway structures and major artery suspension bridges.

 

Our experience includes:

  • Phased structure replacement
  • Roll-in structure replacement
  • Launched structure replacement
  • Deck replacement
  • Bearing replacement
  • Suspension bridge grid deck panel replacement
  • Deck joint replacement
  • Bascule bridge rehabilitation
  • Blast cleaning and painting of structural steel
  • Bridge widening
  • Concrete structural repairs
  • Structural steel repairs
  • Welding inspection
  • Post-tensioned structures
  • Latex-modified concrete deck overlays
  • Mechanically-stabilized earth retaining walls
  • Noise barrier walls
  • Parapet upgrading
  • Timber-covered bridge construction
  • Foundations (from pile-supported to spread footings)

Scope, Schedule, and Budget – the three major factors of a project. We understand the importance of monitoring and delivering as planned on all three. We actively monitor compliance with schedules and costs. We have even developed a tracking system for correspondence, submissions, and reviews. Our focus is on maintaining coordination between the owner, client, and stakeholders alike by conducting design review meetings and keeping a close eye on special provisions, specifications, and estimates.

Design/Build

Design/Build requires attention to detail and quick solutions. Through our experience successfully delivering design/build projects with bridge owners and contractors, our experts can efficiently develop cost-effective solutions for future challenging bridge projects. We understand the importance of preparing conceptual engineering bid packages right the first time and performing review services for contractor designs to make sure the design follows through to construction. 

Get in Touch
Vice President, Practice Leader for Bridges
mpwetzel@urbanengineers.com 215.922.8081

Bridge Inspection

You can never be too thorough with a bridge inspection – every crack and scour identification is critical. Our NBIS-certified team leaders offer in-depth familiarity with the latest FHWA bridge inspection procedures and criteria and regularly use special equipment such as under-bridge inspection cranes, bucket trucks, and man lifts. Our inspection personnel are ready to go – they regularly receive in-house safety training from an OSHA-authorized safety outreach trainer. This instruction includes construction work zone safety, railroad safety procedures, and the use of fall-protection equipment. 

Get in Touch
Vice President, Practice Leader for Bridges
mpwetzel@urbanengineers.com 215.922.8081

Historic Bridges

Bridge preservation is a delicate and specialized practice. The end result needs to blend with its surroundings while preserving its history. It needs to tell the story of the structure. Our structural engineers can help write this story with their experience in the inspection, evaluation, analysis, and rehabilitation of historic bridges and structures. Our staff balances the preservation of historic components with the engineering and safety needs of the structure. We apply sound engineering judgment to applicable standards, including the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and AASHTO's Guidelines for Historic Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement. Moreover, when evaluating a structure's suitability for preservation and reuse, we closely coordinate with the State Historic Preservation Office and other local historic preservation organizations. 

Get in Touch
Vice President, Practice Leader for Bridges
mpwetzel@urbanengineers.com 215.922.8081
Get in Touch
Vice President, Practice Leader for Bridges
mpwetzel@urbanengineers.com 215.922.8081