Pennsylvania is home to at least 4,000 structurally deficient bridges, more than any other state. PennDOT officials hope that will change when the state becomes one of the first to try the new ‘Rapid Bridge Replacement Program.’
"You're going to see us rapidly, with this project, knocking down that number," said PennDOT Secretary Barry Schoch. If the program works, Schoch belives we could see other states follow our lead. "I'd say we'd consider doing it again," said Schoch.
558 bridges have already been selected for the program, based on criteria like age and if the bridge needs to be replaced. The bridges selected also have similar designs, so the parts can be standardized and pre-fabricated in mass production. "It's going to be a lot like Legos; they are going to be able to get in and get out," said Bryan Kendro, Director of Public/Private Partnerships with PennDOT.
"If everything is pre-fabricated, and we can tear an existing bridge out and demo it, then all of the materials are already pre-fabricated and you can go in and assemble it quickly; some of the teams are saying possibly two weeks," said Schoch.
PennDOT has narrowed its search down to four firms comprised of engineers, contractors, financial institutions and others. The firms must submit their proposals by September 29th. The chosen firm will sign up for a 28 1/2 year contract, which includes construction and maintenance of each bridge for 25 years.
"There clearly is a significant risk reward and a significant shift of risk from us to them. These are public assets, they stay ours, and we just take over the maintenance 25 years after completion," said Schoch.
The repairs will happen over a span of four years, with construction scheduled to begin summer of 2015, and expected to wrap up summer of 2018.
For a list of bridges set to be replaced click here.
