Georgia Bridge Experience Prepared for
Joe Macrina, PE Wolverton & Associates, Inc.
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Highly Diversified. Full Service. CHA Consulting, Inc. is a full-service engineering firm that can supply all the planning and engineering services needed to complete your project on time and on budget. Every project has unique goals, obstacles and perspectives— but, after many decades we’ve learned some things. Simply put, experience matters; it teaches us what is possible and provides solutions that are real-world and workable. Experience guides us to craft effective solutions and unique opportunities for each individual project. Experience yields excellence. Choose the team with experts.
CHA Local Leadership John Hensley, PE | Executive Vice President Transportation Group Executive John is a civil engineer with 32 years of diverse experience in the transportation, environmental, water and infrastructure consulting and engineering fields. As Transportation Group Executive, John is responsible for all transportation services and operations throughout the United States. His experience includes program management, planning, design, permitting and bidding assistance, and construction management of municipal, industrial, state and federal projects.
Tom Karis, PE | Senior Vice President Transportation Regional Manager Tom is a veteran project manager with 30 years of transportation infrastructure design, construction and management experience. Beginning his professional career with CHA in 1986, Tom has advanced to his current position as a Senior Vice President and veteran project manager through his pragmatic approach to problem solving, comprehensive knowledge of transportation policies and procedures, and his prudent decision-making capabilities. Throughout his career, he has been involved with, or directly responsible for all types and complexities of transportation projects.
Jim Aitken, PE | Associate Vice President Georgia Transportation Manager Jim has 22 years of experience designing and managing structural engineering, transportation and civil design projects. His experience includes the design of various bridge types for both roadway and rail projects. He is responsible for providing leadership to our Atlanta-based staff as well as managing structural engineering staff for structural design projects on roadway and rail projects throughout Georgia and the Southeast. Jim has experience managing a multidiscipline project staff, large and complex project budgets as well as developing cost effective solutions for design.
Local Bridge Experts Kevin Kahle, PE | Structures Section Leader/Project Manager Kevin’s 17 years of diverse experience in structures and retaining system engineering and construction make him to be well-suited to lead and manage projects throughout Georgia. His strength is in extensive bridge design experience, which was gained from wide-ranging positions held over the course of his career. Kevin’s career has focused primarily on bridge projects throughout Georgia where he has prepared designs ranging from off-system bridge replacements to complex bridges in downtown Atlanta requiring detailed staging strategies and utility coordination, as well as major river crossings.
Nguyenvo Vo, PE | Lead Structures Engineer/Project Manager As a former Bridge Engineer for the GDOT Office of Bridge and Structural Design, Vo gained more than a decade of experience in the design and management of bridge replacement and widening projects, as well as new construction projects involving bridges over creeks and rivers, highways, and railroads. His in-depth knowledge AASHTO specifications, including LRFD, allows him to develop plans and designs for all stages of the PDP from concept and preliminary design through final plans as well as construction services.
Local Roadway Experts Chris Edmondson, PE | Highway Section Leader/Project Manager Chris has 25 years’ experience in transportation design and construction. Chris joined CHA following a productive career with GDOT, where he worked on roadway and bridge projects throughout Georgia. He excels at delivering cost-effective project designs by leading his team with an unyielding commitment to quality assurance and quality control.
Ida Cham, PE | Lead Highway Engineer/Project Manager Ida has used her 12 years of diverse roadway project experience contributed to all of CHA’s transportation projects throughout Georgia. Her broad-based skill set includes practical knowledge and application of highway design practices, as well as expertise in drainage and post construction stormwater management, highway lighting, pedestrian facilities and erosion control BMP design (Level II Certified).
GDOT CHA is currently prequalified with the Georgia Department of Transportation in the following work area classes: • State Wide Systems Planning • Urban Area & Regional Transportation Planning
• Multi-Lane, Limited Access Expressway Type Highway Design • Traffic Operations Studies
• Aviation Systems Planning
• Traffic Operations Design
• Alternative System & Corridor Location Planning
• Hydraulic & Hydrological Studies (Roadways)
• Airport Master Planning • Location Studies • Traffic Studies • Major Investment Studies • Aviation • Two-Lane or Multi-Lane Rural Generally Free Access Highway Design • Two-Lane or Multi-Lane with Curb & Gutter Generally Free Access Highways Design Including Storm Sewers • Two-Lane or Multi-Lane Widening & Reconstruction, with Curb & Gutter & Storm Sewers In Heavily Developed Commercial, Industrial & Residential Urban Areas
• Facilities for Bicycle & Pedestrians • Highway Lighting • Minor Bridges Design • Major Bridges Design • Hydraulic & Hydrological Studies (Bridges) • Bridge Inspection • Erosion, Sedimentation, & Pollution Control & Comprehensive Monitoring Program
AWARD WINNING INNOVATION Social Circle—Fairplay Road at Hard Labor Creek Reservoir over Hard Labor Creek and over Reedy Creek This project required an innovative design for new crossings to be constructed in advance of the development and impoundment of the 1400 acre Hard Labor Creek Reservoir. The main crossing involved a new 5-span, 750 ft long bridge supported on tall reinforced concrete hammerhead piers. Unique to this crossing are the structural and geotechnical designs that had to account for a number of unique reservoir conditions, from prior to impoundment, to full pool, to wave and wind actions for the revetment design, to rapid and emergency drawdown situations. At the secondary crossing, CHA designed an innovative multispan concrete bridge that was constructed directly over an existing concrete box culvert which was utilized to maintain the flow of the Reedy Creek during construction of the overhead bridge. This project won the ACEC Georgia 2016 Engineering Honor Excellence Award.
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New Structure During Near-Catastrophic Storm Event
AWARD WINNING RESPONSIVENESS McEver Road over Mud Creek Emergency Culvert Replacement This emergency response project quickly replaced a vital 14 ft diameter culvert crossing that conveyed Mud Creek, a tributary to Lake Lanier, under McEver Road. The existing metal plate pipe culvert was washed out during a catastrophic flood which resulted in emergency response closure of McEver Road. Design of the reinforced concrete box culvert replacement was completed on an extremely tight schedule, allowing the contractor to begin construction just 16 days after the storm. Construction was completed within 2 months. The new box culvert was quickly put to the test following another near-catastrophic storm event later that same year (see photo to the left). The new structure passed this critical test. This project won the 2015 American Public Works Association (APWA) – Emergency Transportation Project of the Year.
Bridges, Culverts, & Retaining Systems CHA’s bridge design team has successfully designed a wide variety of bridge projects ranging from traditional municipal and/or department of transportation bridges, to complex specialty bridges for both government and commercial clients. Our bridge design expertise encompasses: • Pre-Stressed Beam Bridges • Steel Girder Bridges • Reinforced Concrete Slab Bridges • Three-Sided Structures • Pedestrian and Trail Bridges • Curved Steel Bridges • Long Span Pre-Stressed and Post-Tensioned Concrete Beam Bridges • Cast-in-Place Concrete, Post-Tensioned Box Structures Constructed on False-Work • Post-Tensioned, Segmental Box Structures • Post-Tensioned Steel Straddle Bends • Smaller Scale Cable Stayed Structures • Bridge Rehabilitation • Truss Rehabilitation
MULTI-SPAN BRIDGES OVER RAILROADS Green Top Road (CR 412) over CSX Railroad Bridge Replacement This project replaced the structurally deficient bridge carrying Green Top Road over the CSX Railroad. This project was advanced as a county-sponsored, federal-aid project. CHA completed the final design development, environmental permitting and bid letting package for letting by GDOT. During project design development, the existing truss bridge was inspected by GDOT and subsequently closed to all traffic. That closure resulted in a significant detour for all traffic in the area. As such, the urgency to complete the design and accelerate construction was a top priority. The replacement structure is a 193 ft long, 3-span bridge supported on driven pile foundations. The approach geometry was upgraded and the new structure was lengthened to accommodate the addition of a second railroad track (proposed) along the CSX mainline. The project followed the GDOT Plan Development Process (PDP), and all applicable state and federal agencies and regulations to meet current state and federal standards for horizontal alignment, vertical alignment, sight distance and clear zone and vertical clearances over CSX Railroad.
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ACCELERATED BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION CR 661/Blackhall Road over Rum Creek Bridge Replacement The project is located on a primary commuting route in a suburban area outside of Atlanta and carries CR 661 over Rum Creek, just below the dam and spillway at the outlet of Lake Spivey. Rum Creek is a FEMA studied reach with an 11.5 square mile drainage area. Because Rum Creek is regulated by Lake Spivey Dam, regression equations to determine flow was not applicable. To provide appropriate flows at the bridge, CHA investigated the amount of flow leaving Lake Spivey Dam through the spillway to construct a model in HEC-HMS and compute flow passing through the dam. Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques will be employed to reconstruct the three-span, 195 feet long replacement bridge. All three of the bridge superstructure spans as well as the hammerhead substructures will be precast on site in laydown yards strategically located on both sides of the creek. This will simplify and accelerate the casting and placement of the bridge components. Blackhall Road will remain open to traffic while the replacement bridge elements are cast and then closed to traffic for a maximum of three months while the existing bridge is demolished and replaced with the precast substructure and superstructure components. Bridge superstructure elements will consist of 8-foot wide-deck beams separated by 6-inch wide closure pours between the deck beam units. The closure pours will be made with Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) for long term durability and performance.
COMPLEX BRIDGES OVER RAILROADS SR 34/Newnan Bypass (Turkey Creek Road to SR 16) over Norfolk Southern Railroad This county-sponsored, federal-aid project developed a 1.5 mile, fourdivided arterial extension on new alignment to connect State routes. Critical to the arterial extension was a grade separated crossing of the new arterial over Norfolk Southern Railroad’s Cedartown-Griffin Line. This was accomplished with parallel and adjacent curved bridges supported on mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining walls. CHA completed the concept, preliminary and final design development; environmental documentation and permitting; and preparation of the letting package for GDOT procurement. During concept development, CHA worked collaboratively with Norfolk Southern and Georgia DOT’s Railroad Liaison to evaluate overhead grade separation alternatives and to determine Norfolk Southern’s plans for additional future tracks. The grade separation was designed to accommodate a second future track. CHA worked closely with Norfolk Southern throughout design development to ensure that all requirements and preferences for geometrics, clearances, drainage, safety and accessibility were accommodated with the new two parallel overhead bridge crossing of the single track. The parallel curved pre-stressed concrete bridges sit atop curved mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall abutments matching the track curvature. The bridge and drainage were designed in accordance with the Norfolk Southern Public Projects Manual – Guidelines for Design of Grade Separation Structures and the design satisfies all NS horizontal, vertical, and construction clearance requirements.
MULTI-SPAN INTERSTATE BRIDGES Interstate 85 at Interchange 44, Poplar Road over I-85 At the time that the first phase of Piedmont Healthcare’s new regional medical complex was completed, Poplar Road was a grade separated crossing over I-85 with no access to the Interstate. The need for improved Interstate access became an immediate priority. CHA completed the concept, preliminary and final design development; environmental documentation and permitting; and preparation of the letting package for GDOT procurement. Providing access from Poplar Road to the new Piedmont Newnan Regional Hospital had to be maintained at all times. This was made more difficult by the location of the hospital immediately adjacent to the proposed interchange and that the existing 4-span bridge over I-85 was being replaced with a longer 2-span bridge. Options to construct an offset parallel bridge clear of the existing bridge were dismissed for a multitude of reasons. CHA’s solution was to stage construct the new 6-lane bridge in conjunction with sequenced demolition of the existing 2-lane bridge. Identification and accommodation of the existing utilities was also a major challenge. The bridge staging strategy was largely driven by the need to maintain the existing utilities carried on the existing bridge during construction (multiple water and raw water lines, gas, and telecommunications) as well as avoid the multitude of buried utilities at the approaches. Construction staging was developed in close collaboration with the utility owners to minimize utility relocation costs and construction time.
MULTI-SPAN BRIDGES OVER FEMA REGULATED WATERS Cannon Road (CR 130) over White Oak Creek Bridge Replacement This project replaced the structurally deficient bridge carrying Cannon Road over White Oak Creek. This project was advanced as a countysponsored, federal-aid project. CHA completed the final design development, environmental permitting and bid letting package for letting by GDOT. The project followed the GDOT Plan Development Process (PDP), and all applicable state and federal agencies and regulations, which included, but were not limited to FEMA, USACOE, EPD, NEPA, and DNR. The replacement structure is 265 ft long and comprised of Type III AASHTO precast/pre-stressed concrete girders supported on multi-column substructures founded on a combination of drilled shaft and driven pile foundations. The replacement structure was longer than the existing bridge to improve the hydraulic conveyance performance by lowering the channel velocity and backwater during the design year storm.
MULTI-SPAN BRIDGES ON CURVES Moore Road (CR 129) over White Oak Creek Tributary Bridge Replacement This project replaced the structurally deficient bridge carrying Moore Road over White Oak Creek Tributary. The existing structure was a 100 ft long, curved and cast-in-place concrete structure supported on a timber pile foundation. The replacement structure is a 100 ft long, 3-span bridge on a curved alignment. The superstructure is made up of Type I Modified AASHTO precast/pre-stressed concrete girders supported on drilled caisson foundations. The replacement structure and approach geometry have been upgraded to address sight distance and cross-section deficiencies.
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Before
SINGLE SPAN BRIDGES Luther Bailey Road (CR 157) over Double Branch Creek Bridge Replacement This project replaced the structurally deficient bridge carrying Luther Bailey Road over Double Branch Creek. The existing 60 ft long steel stringer bridge with corrugated metal decking and asphalt surface was replaced with a new single span pre-stressed concrete beam bridge. The new bridge is 70 feet long and includes an integral retaining wall/ wingwall on one of the end bents. The pile supported reinforced concrete retaining wall was necessary to minimize encroachment to Double Branch Creek as it meandered and paralleled Luther Bailey Road. The foundations supporting the end bents and the retaining wall were steel H- piles driven to a sufficient depth to protect against scour.
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BOTTOMLESS STRUCTURES Reese Road (CR 71) over Keg Creek Arch Culvert Replacement This project replaced the structurally deficient bridge carrying Reese Road over Keg Creek. The existing 30-foot long steel stringer bridge with corrugated metal decking and asphalt surface was replaced due to deterioration of the timber piles at the midspan pier. The replacement structure is a 36-foot span by 9-foot rise precast concrete arch founded on cast-in-place concrete pile caps atop driven steel H-piles. The concrete arch retains the natural stream bottom and provides sufficient hydraulic conveyance for the 50-year design storm and was readily constructible within the project site constraints. Reese Road was closed to traffic beginning in early May and reopened in late August, coinciding with the start of school. During those months, an off site detour was in place to minimize impacts to school bus routes. The project was well-received by the public for its expedited construction schedule and minimal construction impacts.
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Before
BOX CULVERTS Luther Bailey Road (CR 157) over Dead Oak Creek Box Culvert Replacement This project replaced the structurally deficient bridge carrying Luther Bailey Road over Dead Oak Creek. The replacement structure and approach geometry were upgraded to improve upon geometric and cross-section deficiencies. The existing 50 ft single span steel girder bridge with asphalt decking was replaced with a double cell 12-foot by 9-foot reinforced concrete box culvert. To expedite construction: the road was closed, a fully signed detour was implemented and a diversion channel was constructed adjacent to the construction site to maintain the flow of Dead Oak Creek. The contractor opted for a cast-in-place concrete alternative which was reviewed and approved by CHA.
REHABILITATION & WIDENING Interchange 44/I-85 Southbound Entrance Ramp over Norfolk Southern Railroad The construction of a new southbound I-85 entrance ramp to supported access between Poplar Road and Interstate 85 required pavement widening along I-85 that extended beyond the existing bridge carrying I-85 over Norfolk Southern Railroad. To accommodate the new Interchange 44 ramp required that the existing bridge, already having been previously modified as part of GDOT’s major I-85 widening project through Coweta County, be retrofit and widened again. CHA worked closely with the GDOT Bridge Office to develop the design of new independent piers that supported the widened portion of the bridge and allowed for the extension of the railroad crash wall to meet Norfolk Southern and the AREMA requirements. Additionally, CHA’s hydraulic engineers were successful in their application of innovative design strategies to detain and reduce proposed stormwater runoff outflows through the Norfolk Southern right of way, keeping the post-development discharges below existing levels. These collaborative efforts with the GDOT Bridge Office and the Railroad Liaison helped to secure Norfolk Southern approval of the project with a minimal number of reviews and revisions.
REHABILITATION & STRENGTHENING Fowler Mill Road over Little Bear Creek Bridge Rehabilitation This project involved a detailed analysis for the superstructure rehabilitation of this single-span local bridge. The existing steel stringer bridge was field inspected and then analyzed for load carrying capacity. A variety of rehabilitation and replacement strategies were investigated, ultimately leading to the removal of the existing asphalt deck, and replacement with a new cast-in-place concrete composite deck. In addition to the deck replacement, the rail systems were upgraded to AASHTO crash-worthy standards, and scour revetment was provided at the abutments. The project was funded with local SPLOST and state-aid funds. The design was developed in accordance with local, state and federal requirements.
ENVIRONMENTALLY PRACTICAL STRATEGIES Hammock Road (CR 469) at SR 154 Intersection Improvements This intersection improvement project was a locally-sponsored project advanced with local and state administered funds to address sight distance and geometric safety concerns at this priority intersection. The project signalized the intersection, added a left turn lane northbound and right turn lane southbound and eastbound, and replaced the existing concrete culverts which convey flows to a confluence immediately adjacent to the project. The intersection is bounded by streams, ponds and wetlands which have required extensive hydrologic and hydraulic analyses with proactive environmental agency coordination and consultation. A complex construction staging approach was developed to maintain traffic through this very environmentally constrained project site.
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chacompanies.com
Jim Aitken, PE 678.954.5002 ext. 245 jaitken@chacompanies.com Tom Karis, PE 317.780.7255 tkaris@chacompanies.com
01/2017
NYC Parsippany