VIDEO: Rehabbing the U.S. 84 Natchez-Vidalia Bridge

Jan. 21, 2016

HNTB comes up with a unique solution for span linking Louisiana and Mississippi

They did not build many bridges in the 1940s to be redundant, which is why so many of them need to be repaired or replaced today.

The U.S. 84 Natchez-Vidalia Bridge, which links Vidalia, La., to Natchez, Miss., is one of those spans in need of attention. The 3,664-ft-long, five-span, cantilever truss bridge features one suspended span and two quasi-suspended spans. A pin and link assembly holds the bridge sections together and over time the pin has “walked itself out” of its proper position.

HNTB devised a solution to vertically post-tension the bridge to take the load off so the pin and link can be removed and replaced. Working with the contractor, HNTB lifted up the two joining sections to transfer the load to a support structure. Once the load was off, the pin was removed and the link freed to be taken away. A new pin and hanger assembly was crafted and installed, and the load transferred back.

To see a video on the project, click here.

Sponsored Recommendations

The Science Behind Sustainable Concrete Sealing Solutions

Extend the lifespan and durability of any concrete. PoreShield is a USDA BioPreferred product and is approved for residential, commercial, and industrial use. It works great above...

Powerful Concrete Protection For ANY Application

PoreShield protects concrete surfaces from water, deicing salts, oil and grease stains, and weather extremes. It's just as effective on major interstates as it is on backyard ...

Concrete Protection That’s Easy on the Environment and Tough to Beat

PoreShield's concrete penetration capabilities go just as deep as our American roots. PoreShield is a plant-based, eco-friendly alternative to solvent-based concrete sealers.

Proven Concrete Protection That’s Safe & Sustainable

Real-life DOT field tests and university researchers have found that PoreShieldTM lasts for 10+ years and extends the life of concrete.