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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