New Mexico’s 45-Day Bridge -- Mountain Valley Road over Interstate 40

The objective of this project is to utilize High Performance Concrete (HPC) materials and precast substructure units in order to replace the existing interstate overpass with minimal impact to roadway users. The cast-in-place substructure work for the new bridge will be built under the existing bridge. Once the cast-in-place substructure work for the new bridge is complete, the existing bridge will be closed to traffic, demolished, and the superstructure of the new bridge completed and opened to traffic within 45 calendar days. Precast box girders and a precast pier cap will be used, which will significantly minimize construction time, and reduce user cost versus conventional construction methods. The apparent low bidder for this project was David Montoya Construction Company from Albuquerque, NM. As of January 2, 2004, the contract is still under bid review. Construction will begin in February 2004. The total estimated construction time is nine (9) months. The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) feels that this rapid bridge construction project is achievable. It will open doors to innovative, cost and time effective technologies that will be used in bridges of the future.