New Mexico’s 32-Day Bridge

The purpose of this project was to utilize High Performance Concrete (HPC) materials and precast substructure units to replace the old interstate overpass with minimal roadway user impacts. The cast-in-place substructure work for the new bridge was built under the old bridge. Once the cast-in-place substructure work for the new bridge was completed, the old bridge was closed to traffic, demolished, and the superstructure of the new bridge completed and opened to traffic within 32 calendar days. Precast box girders and a precast pier cap were used, which significantly minimized construction time, and reduced user cost versus conventional construction methods. The contractor for the bridge was Reiman Corporation from Cheyenne, Wyoming. Construction began in February 2004. Once the substructure work for the new bridge was completed, the old bridge was closed to traffic on June 1, 2004 and the new bridge re-opened to traffic on July 3, 2004, for a total of 32 calendar days. The new bridge was then completed on July 22, 2004 for a total construction time of five (5) months. Careful planning, research, and partnering with the Contractor made this rapid bridge construction project a success. This project opened doors to innovative, cost and time effective technologies that will be used in bridges of the future.