When a one of the nation’s largest refinery owners required expert bridge engineering coupled with heavy lifting and transport services, they selected the team of Westbrook Associated Engineers, Inc. (WAE) and Mammoet for this task.  The scope of work involved transporting two massive reactors across a 1980’s era county highway bridge utilizing SPMT (Self Propelled Modular Transports) from a rail siding and then erecting them at the refinery site.  The total weight of each reactor and SPMT configuration to be transported across the county highway bridge was approximately 1,500,000 pounds.

WAE inspected the existing highway bridge structure per FHWA guidelines, performed a series of refined structural analysis in order to ascertain AASHTO LRFD rating factors, developed a detailed rating report for review by both public and private entities, supervised the bridge crossing during each SPMT transport and performed pre/post bridge inspections for each SPMT transport.  The in-depth structural analysis and bridge modelling undertaken by WAE proved that acceptable rating factors could be achieved from the existing bridge.  This then allowed each reactor to be transported by standardized SPMT v. a more complicated and time-consuming jack-n-slide method.  It is estimated that this resulted in a $750,000 savings to the project.

WAE would especially like to thank Mammoet (Eric Molenda and Nathan Overell) and all the public and private agencies that made this a very successful and safe transport.  The attention to detail and professionalism shown by all made this a truly a TEAM effort.

Check out our Facebook or LinkedIn pages to see a video of the reactor crossing the bridge!

The Milwaukee Street Bridge over the Rock River in Janesville, WI opened last week.  Westbrook was responsible for construction administration and engineering.  The new bridge is a four-span bridge with decorative arches, parapets, and lighting.  This project replaced a four-span concrete arch bridge that was built in 1913/14 that had outlived its design life and had become structurally deficient.  That bridge in turn had replaced a timber structure that burned down in 1913.  Remnants of past structures were encountered throughout the project.  The project team also worked through multiple floods and the current pandemic.

Here’s an article from the Janesville Gazette about the Milwaukee Street Bridge over the Rock River in downtown Janesville: https://tinyurl.com/thx7ob6

 

CTH M bridge construction inspection, in the Town of Trenton within Washington County, Wisconsin, continues to move along quickly despite the cold and snow in February. The old bridge deck and piers are demolished. The piles are driven and both new piers are poured. In the coming weeks, the abutments will be poured with the deck to follow. The project is running on schedule and under budget and is expected to be completed summer 2020. Photo is courtesy of Washington County’s drone.

In the January 27, 2020 issue of  RT&S, Westbrook was mentioned in the following article: “Innovation in stream—Teams work together to tackle tough conditions surrounding Kankakee River rail bridge project.” Thankful for the opportunity to help ICC safely and successfully construct this bridge.
https://www.rtands.com/railroad-news/innovation-in-stream/#

The holiday season is a time to foster a sense of togetherness, gratitude, and hope for the upcoming new year. For the past several years, the employees of Westbrook Associated Engineers, Inc. (WAE), have selected a cause in which they can contribute back to our local community. This year, with the guidance of the Spring Green Police Department and Kops for Kids, WAE and their employees contributed over 45 holiday gifts and four baskets of home essentials to four area families.

On behalf of Westbrook, warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a very happy new year!