Technical Description:
• CON/SPAN
® B-Series
® Bridge System
• Span: 42’
• Rise: 13’
• Length: 168’
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During an improvement project at US 36 Bikeway in Westminster, Colorado, an underpass was needed to provide safe passage for pedestrians under the busy Sheridan Boulevard. The 18 mile long bikeway is 12' wide and connects 80th Avenue in Westminster to Table Mesa Station in Boulder and commuters to workplaces, activity centers, local businesses, six Regional Transportation Districts (RTD) and more.
“The Sheridan underpass is certainly a significant infrastructure project for our community, and it will provide Coloradans the ability to safely ride their bikes from Denver to Boulder," stated Mark Freitag, Westminster City Manager.
After considering options, it was decided that a 42' x 13' CON/SPAN® B-Series® Bridge System, 168' in length, was the best solution for several reasons. It met the clearance box requirements for the underpass, provided a quick installation and was able to be constructed in phases. The precast concrete CON/SPAN structure was installed in just one day during each of the phases which in turn, allowed the contractor, Concrete Express, Inc., to add immediately a waterproofing membrane and flow fill so the roadway could be reopened to the public quickly.
The major challenge during both phases of the project was keeping Sheridan Boulevard open to traffic throughout the length of the construction project. This was accomplished by the use of temporary soil nail/shotcrete walls and the ability of the CON/SPAN structure to be built in 6' long segments. This allowed the phase line to be a few feet away from live traffic on Sheridan Boulevard.
The $12 million project was funded by a mix of local and federal money from the City of Westminster, the Denver Regional Council of Government and the Colorado Department of Transportation. The project also included the construction of an additional southbound lane from US 36 to Turnpike Drive to improve traffic on Sheridan Boulevard, a new traffic signal at the intersection of West 88th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard, ADA ramps, storm sewer improvements and more. The project was completed on time and under budget.
In the end, the CON/SPAN structure was the perfect solution for the site, and all parties involved were pleased with the outcome. “The benefits of this project will be felt statewide, not just here in Westminster,” concluded Freitag. "[It] represents what can be achieved when local, state and federal leaders come together to deliver for their communities."
Technical Description:
• CON/SPAN
® B-Series
® Bridge System
• Span: 42’
• Rise: 13’
• Length: 168’
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