A commendable and multi-award-winning design-build project involving the rehabilitation of a primary transportation corridor into Washington, DC, Fort Myer headed the upgrading of the 50-plus-year-old New York Avenue bridge. This project included the removal, lowering, and reconstruction of the twin-span bridge’s superstructure and piers, widening of existing abutments, and construction of a new historic sidewalk rail. Beginning in January 2011, a third girder was installed to create structural redundancy. Construction also included installation and removal of temporary structures to support equipment and protect personnel working over high-voltage wires and rail tracks. Other work included electrical rehabilitation and replacement of roadway lighting and pavement restoration to New York Avenue to match the elevation change of the bridge abutments.

 

Project Significance

The New York Avenue Bridge is used by more than 87,000 vehicles each day and crosses several busy commuter and freight rail lines run by Amtrak, CXS and Metro. This project demonstrates Fort Myer’s ability to reconstruct bridge spans and roadway approaches over electrified railroads along one of the highest traveled and congested passages in DC. Fort Myer was challenged with performing construction during very restricted nightly hours. Funds for the project were provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), and the project is the largest ARRA effort in the District.