As part of Otak’s recently completed eight bridge, $35-million design-build project in eastern Oregon, two bridge sites were designed with accelerated construction practices in mind. 

ODOT Region 5, in partnership with the surrounding communities, recognized the impacts that lengthy closures and delays would have at the Trout Creek and Silvies Slough sites, located in Harney County.  During design, an emphasis was placed in constructing these two bridges utilizing accelerated construction techniques, including night and weekend work and the use of precast concrete substructure and superstructure elements.  To properly gear up for this fast-paced work, Otak supplied additional on-site inspectors and engineers to oversee the progress and Wildish Standard Paving, the construction contractor, also used additional labor forces to allow for around the clock work.

Otak incorporated unique precast concrete features into both bridge designs, including precast pile caps, wingwalls, slabs and even precast end panels.  Additionally, the concrete bridge rails were precast onto the exterior precast slabs at the precast plant. The precast concrete modules were simply assembled together at the site, saving considerable time during construction.

The projects were completed under minimal traffic closures.  Trout Creek Bridge was completed without closing traffic at all through use of a culvert bypass and Silvies Slough Bridge was completely constructed with only seven days of full road closure.  The accelerated construction of these two bridges allowed traffic to be restored to its original configuration with minimal impact to the public, resulting in a very successful outcome for the design-build team, ODOT, and the local community.