Buechel ByPass
The Buechel Bypass Bridge, situated in Jefferson County, Kentucky, near Hikes Point, is a seven-span continuous reinforced concrete deck girder bridge that accommodates four lanes of US 31E over the Norfolk Southern Railway.
Challenges Faced
Routine inspections identified structural issues, including the deterioration of a bearing and supporting concrete pier cap. In response, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) temporarily closed one lane to mitigate damage and ensure public safety.
KYTC engineers and their consulting team conducted a comprehensive examination and materials testing to ascertain the root cause and extent of the deterioration. The primary culprit was the long-term exposure of the substructure to de-icing road salts, used for winter maintenance, which initiated corrosion of the reinforcing steel. Further inspection revealed additional concrete deterioration at the bridge deck expansion joints and abutments.
The Remedial Approach
The KYTC, in collaboration with the railroad, devised an economically viable plan to address the existing deficiencies and prolong the bridge's remaining service life. Key measures included the replacement of bearings and the removal of deteriorated concrete to expose corroding reinforcing steel. To manage corrosion, a galvanic anode system was implemented to rehabilitate and extend the structure's lifespan.
Galvashield XP4 units were installed in concrete repairs on the corroding piers.
Galvashield CC4 units were employed by drilling holes into sound concrete.
For the abutments, galvanic encasements were used, involving the addition of a new layer of reinforcing steel and the installation of Galvashield DAS anodes.
The Result
Collaborating closely with Norfolk Southern, KYTC and their consulting team successfully executed a cost-effective yet comprehensive plan to address the existing damage and enhance the service life of this vital 67-year-old infrastructure.
Technology Used
These innovative products and technologies were used on this project.