US197: The Dalles (Columbia River) Bridge Deck Replacement

Oregon Department of Transportation
The Dalles, Oregon

Exeltech provided structural engineering services for the design of the bridge deck replacement and installation of new expansion joints. The historic bridge provides the primary connection between Dallesport, Washington and The Dalles, Oregon, and passes over BNSF railroad and The Dalles Locks. The project replaced the concrete bridge deck, rails, navigation and aviation lights, and illumination while continuing to provide pedestrian accommodations. The existing bridge provides 24 feet of roadway (two 12-foot travel lanes with no shoulder or shy distance) and a concrete sidewalk on the northbound side. Several utilities are attached to the bridge requiring extensive utility coordination. Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques were utilized to streamline project schedules, reduce utility and traffic impacts, and minimize the duration of the roadway closure.