Roger W. Laime, P.E. Earth Tech Northeast, Inc.

Director of Operations 40 British American Blvd.

Latham, NY 12110 (518) 951-2200

Roger.Laime@earthtech.com

Synopsis:

The replacement of the Pulaski Memorial Bridge (Fourth Avenue) over North Chuctanunda Creek began in 1999 through the Locally Administered Federal Aid Projects process. The City of Amsterdam, along with the New York State Department of Transportation, recognized that the rapidly deteriorating structure needed replacement in order to continue to provide access for two closely-knit communities. Temporary repairs had been made to the stringers and floorbeams of the 61.5 meter long Modified Warren-style truss in 1998 in order to maintain a 14 ton load posting. Many of these members exhibited over 50% section loss and the safety of vehicular, as well as, pedestrian traffic was paramount to all agencies involved.

Several design alternatives were considered, with the 47 meter simple span, curved, high strength steel superstructure chosen. Improved roadway geometrics, hydraulics and pedestrian accessibility were obtained with the new structure. The structure was dedicated on July 9, 2004.

This presentation will highlight several design considerations when using high strength steel in curved girders, hydraulic issues and constructability. Construction photos will be used to demonstrate key aspects of many design elements, scheduling difficulties and unforeseen weather complications.

About the Presenter:

Roger Laime received his B.S. from the University of Rhode Island in 1983 and his M.B.A. from the State University of New York at Albany in 1988. He is currently the Infrastructure and Engineering Services Manager for Earth Tech’s Albany office. His responsibilities include scheduling and supervision of daily operations, managing all phases of design and construction inspection projects, development and training of professional staff and the implementation of quality control/quality assurance programs. Roger has over 21 years of experience as a structural engineer and bridge design engineer working on projects for the NYSDOT, the Thruway Authority, and local agencies. He has been directly responsible for over 125 bridge rehabilitation/replacement projects throughout New York State including numerous complex designs of curved structures, multiple truss rehabilitation/replacements and ten LDSA projects.

SESSION 1.3

Replacement of the Pulaski Memorial Bridge Amsterdam, New York

Replacement of the Pulaski Memorial BridgeCity of Amsterdam

Replacement of the Pulaski Memorial Bridge

Design Approval:

PS&E:

Letting:

Contract Start:

Contract Completion:

November 2002

March 2003

April 2003

May 2003

July 2004

Locally Administered Federal Aid Project

Earth Tech Northeast selected by City of Amsterdam

Replacement of the Pulaski Memorial Bridge

Year Built

Span

Type

Steel Type

Skew

Roadway Width

Out / Out Width

1931

61.57m (202ft.)

Thru Truss

207MPa (30ksi)

0°

6.10m

7.10m

2004

46.00m (151ft.)

Simple Span Curved

485MPa (70ksi)

30°

6.60m

9.30m

Original New

Replacement of the Pulaski Memorial Bridge

Owner:

Contractor:

Demolition:

Steel Fabricator:

Steel Erector:

Concrete Supplier:

Piles:

Total Construction Cost: $1.662M

City of Amsterdam

Delaney Construction Corporation

Sessler Wrecking & Demolition

High Steel Structures

D.A. Collins Construction

Clemente Concrete Latham

Buffalo Drilling

Replacement of the Pulaski Memorial Bridge

Existing Freeboard:

Alternatives:

Min. Freeboard:

1.33m (62m simple span truss)

Simple span (46m)

2 span continuous (28m-32m)

4 span culvert (12m-12m-12m-12m)

0.600m

Hydraulic Requirements

Replacement of the Pulaski Memorial Bridge

Girder Depth:

Alignment:

Total Steel Used:

Steel Reduction (kg):

Steel Bid Prices:

Reduced by 15% (1.475m web)

SSD increased from 36.4m to 46.3m

183,000 kg

Reduced by 36,000 kg

Bids ranged from $2.18/kg to $2.70/kg with the low bid at $2.18/kg

High Strength Steel Benefits

Construction Begins May 2003

East Abutment Excavation

West Abutment Pile Installation

Deck Poured May 2004

Bridge Opened July 9, 2004

Questions . . .