Technical Description:
• Bridge Plank
• Details: 6" x 2" pre-galvanized,
10 gage, punched
• Quantity: 40 planks
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The 280th Avenue bridge over Jonathan Creek in Decatur County, Iowa was approaching a condition where the decking surface had met its usable design life. After further inspection, it became apparent that replacing only the bridge deck was more cost effective than a full bridge replacement.
Different options and sizes were considered, but in the end, the county selected 6" x 2" Bridge Plank from Contech Engineered Solutions. This product provided the best balance of economy and structural integrity. Bridge Plank is a field welded, corrugated steel decking solution that provides a fully structural platform for gravel or asphalt roadways. Additionally, Bridge Plank is straightforward to install and could be placed by the county's existing labor force.
Post material shipment, it was discovered the original bridge was oriented on a 30 degree skew. Fortunately, the county and Contech Engineered Solutions were able to quickly collaborate on a plan to solve the problem. The plan allowed the county to utilize the materials based on the original estimate, and a relatively seamless installation sequence was maintained.
Despite the challenges that the skewed alignment posed, the modular nature of the bridge planks made the project an easy one to fit into the county's busy project schedule. Bridge Plank was the perfect solution for this bridge rehabilitation project, and the county was pleased with the outcome.
“Over the years, Decatur County has successfully decked several bridges with corrugated plank and road stone,” concluded Dillon Davenport, County Engineer with the county. "This type of deck installs quickly and allows us to reuse beams that we've salvaged from prior bridge projects. It's been a great option for our low volume gravel roads."
Technical Description:
• Bridge Plank
• Details: 6" x 2" pre-galvanized,
10 gage, punched
• Quantity: 40 planks
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