In San Antonio last Saturday, Interstate 10 (I-10) was closed for just five hours while Sundt installed the longest precast, pre-stressed concrete bridge girders in the history of the Texas Department of Transportation – and then traffic was flowing smoothly again. The operation was part of Sundt’s $6.1 million transportation construction project on I-10 at Ralph Fair Road, in which our team of expert builders is planning and constructing a new overpass to expand the existing FM 3351 bridge to accommodate growing traffic volumes.
The nine 164-foot-long girders were transported approximately 40 miles to the site from the precast concrete plant and then installed with two hydraulic cranes in less than two hours. The girders form part of the backbone of the new overpass, which is expected to be complete and open to traffic next spring. Another 17 girders will be installed in the coming months.
“Everyone from Sundt, from supervision to craft employees, helped get this challenging task accomplished safely, and with minimal effects on motorists,” said Sundt Senior Project Manager Gustavo J. Anguiano. “Our team held many meetings with the owner, subcontractors and beam supplier to plan and walk through every aspect of the activities beforehand so that things went smoothly.”