BRIDGE DESIGN COMBINES FUNCTIONALITY WITH HISTORIC INTEGRITY

This article describes the Putnam Street Bridge project in Marietta, Ohio, which used the latest technologies in bridge construction to blend a modern bridge design into Marietta's 19th century landscape. Replacement of the old two-lane, 786-ft structure that was built in 1914 presented numerous challenges, ranging from its location to its status as a historical landmark structure to reducing initial Coast Guard requirements for vertical clearances. The article describes how the new alignment was built adjacent to the existing structure in order to minimize traffic disturbances. To keep costs down, the contractor used a value-engineering approach and segmental concrete construction. The river foundations were also designed with cost- saving techniques such as using drilled shafts and water-line footings. The new 685-ft bridge offers an increased load capacity with its four lanes. In order to maintain its historic flavor, the new bridge features stone form liners to mimic the sandstone of the original structure, antique lighting, and lookout points and historic markers.