Taxiway “A” Bridge
Rehabilitation
Client: Chicago Department of Aviation
Location: O’Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois
Construction Completed: 2000
Construction Cost: $21.8 Million
Challenge
Bowman, Barrett & Associates Inc. (BB&A) was retained by
the Chicago Department of Aviation as the Construction Engineer
to provide construction management services for the rehabilitation
of the Taxiway “A” bridge.
The Taxiway "A" Bridge is a heated bridge, designed to
carry large commercial aircraft. The original four-span structure
was constructed in 1966. The bridge was lengthened in 1986 by demolishing
the original south abutment and constructing a new south abutment,
and installing a new span over the Airport Transit Systems double
track system for automatic trains.
The taxiway bridge spans over the FIS Road, the Automated Transit
System tracks, four east bound lanes of airport exit traffic on
the Kennedy Expressway (I-90), the CTA tracks, four west bound
lanes of airport entrance traffic on the Kennedy Expressway (I-90)
and the taxi-limousine lane.
Details
The overall project involved the rehabilitation of Taxiway “P” and
Taxiway “A,” along with the Taxiway “A” Bridge.
The taxiway work involved the removal of existing pavement and
shoulders and installation of new underdrains, 12-inch thick frost
protection course, 12-inch asphalt treated permeable base course
and 21 to 33-inch PCC pavement. New electrical duct runs, center
line lights and edge lights were also installed.
The bridge rehabilitation involved the removal of the concrete
deck, approaches and all oil piping. The existing steel girders
and bearings remained in place. Designated bearings were cleaned
and adjusted. Demolition of the parapets occurred at night, when
lane closures were permitted. Once the deck and parapets were
removed from the exterior girders, demolition progressed during
the day
and at night. The work involved close coordination and sequencing
between each trade, with many work activities taking place concurrently.
The duration of the bridge closure was limited to 200 calendar
days. The bridge was closed to aircraft traffic on April 12,
2000 and reopened on October 29, 2000.
Benefits
Safety: New underdrains, a frost protection course, a permeable
base course and PCC pavement improved traction on Taxiway “A”.
The bridge reconstruction replaced a deteriorated concrete deck
and totally replaced the oil piping for the heated deck system.
This completely prevents cold weather icing of the bridge deck.
The new installed lighting system also improved the safety of the
bridge.
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