Emergency Bridge Rail Replacement

Emergency Bridge Rail Replacement

This is an emergency Structure Maintenance Project resulting from a collision that occurred August 17, 2005 in Humboldt County near the town of Ferndale at the Eel River Bridge (Fernbridge) No. 04-0134. While the temporary, emergency railing was being placed, engineers inspecting the damaged rail revealed previously unknown structural deficiencies. Original rail construction of Fernbridge included 6 reinforced bars (rebar) in each post that were anchored to the bridge deck adding tensile strength to the concrete. The accident brought to Caltrans attention the significant loss of reinforcing steel within the guardrail, leaving 1-2 rebars out of the 6 in each post. With no significant steel in the concrete, the ability of the railing to absorb energy during a collision is limited. In addition the age of the concrete makes is suceptible to crumbling and deterioration. Fernbridge experiences a large average daily traffic and has only 9.0-ft. wide lanes with 0.5-ft. of temporary railing at the damaged location. The lack of steel in the rail combined with the condition of the concrete indicates that immediate action is necessary to provide a safe conveyance for traffic. Local support for complete replacement of the railing is high, and of great interest to those who travel the bridge on a daily basis. Failure to act on this known safety concern would place the motoring public at risk.

Ferndale

Humboldt