Self-Propelled Modular Transporters for Bridge Movements in Europe and the United States

Abstract

More than 150,000 publicly owned vehicular bridges in the United States are currently structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. The rate at which additional bridges become deficient or obsolete is anticipated to increase as traffic volumes and weights continue to increase and as more bridges across the country reach the end of their service life. New methods are needed to replace these substandard bridges quickly with long-lasting bridges while traffic flow is maintained. Bridge prefabrication is one method that can address this need. An international scan was conducted in April 2004 to learn how other countries are using prefabricated bridge components to minimize traffic disruption, improve work-zone safety, minimize environmental impact, improve constructability, improve quality, and lower life-cycle costs. Countries visited were Japan, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and France. The top implementation recommendation from the scan team is the use of self-propelled modular transporters to move bridges into position in hours rather than the typical months required for conventional bridge construction.