The Massachusetts Highway Department needed to replace the Route 1A bridge in South Attleboro, at the state border with Pawtucket, RI. The challenge was, this bridge spans over three major obstacles: the electrified Amtrak rail line, the MBTA commuter railroad station, and the access road for the adjacent shopping center. The preexisting 3-span bridge, built in 1931, had a rating of only 18 tons and the 4 travel lanes were only 10 feet wide.

 

Demolition and construction had to be completed without disrupting Amtrak and MBTA Commuter Rail traffic. The crews worked over the live commuter rail and electrified Amtrack corridor, using appropriate protection and working closely with the railroad for shut down and guarding of the electrified systems and active rails. To minimize disruption, much of the work was conducted at night. The 3-phase reconstruction required substantial support of excavation and selective demolition in order to maintain all travel lanes on the bridge and all train/vehicle flow below the bridge.

 

P. Gioioso built a new single-span bridge that is 90 feet long and 85 feet wide and contains over 2,500 cy of cast-in-place concrete. The newly constructed roadway improved lane widths, sight distances, and turning lanes for the 33,000 daily vehicle volume.