Unionport Bridge Replacement

The Unionport Bridge is a complete replacement of the existing 65 year old moveable “bascule” bridge.

DBM Vircon’s Scope of Work:

Working with client STS Steel, 3D BrIM modeling and shop detailing of approximately 1,320 tons of structural steel including the bascule girders, floor beams, stringers, lateral bracing, counterweight, rack support, centering device and trunnion tower for the new twin single leaf bascules

Project Stats:

• The Unionport Bridge carries 60,000 vehicles per day on the Bruckner Expressway Service Road
• The new bridge also consists of a 12-foot wide bike path on the northern bridge and a 5-foot wide pedestrian sidewalk on the new southern bridge

Unionport Bridge Replacement Project Highlights & Challenges:

• The counterweight assembly was not erectable per the design drawings. There were no access holes to install the intermediate field splices. New access holes were added in a very small space for erection and need to be closed after for concrete pouring.
• The bascule bridge interfered with the concrete deck while opening. The stringer heel joint end profile and heel joint edge embed channel had to be changed, as well, the concrete deck opening slot had to be extended.
• Roadway box stringer had to be revised several times due to the limited space to accommodate the diaphragm connection, field splices and stringer connections.
• Almost 1000 pieces of different kinds of beveled shim plates were used to suit the varying slopes.