Tag Archive for: infrastructure

Permanent vs Temporary Bridge Construction: A Guide

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Temporary vs Permanent Bridge Construction | U.S. Bridge

If you’re attempting to restore an existing bridge or trying to replace a destroyed bridge, you may be wondering if you should erect a permanent bridge or a temporary one. Most likely, you’re thinking of building a temporary bridge construction until the permanent construction is done — but does that really save money?

What exactly is the difference between temporary and permanent bridge construction? With advancements in technology, specifically accelerated bridge construction, many projects can forgo a temporary bridge — often saving millions of dollars.

Let’s break down the main differences between permanent and temporary bridge construction.

Time: How soon do you need the bridge?

Generally, temporary bridges are quick to erect and dismantle as they are often used in emergency scenarios. That being said, temporary bridges take away time and money from permanent constructions. With just a few more weeks, a permanent bridge can be built without the added effort of a temporary bridge. This can save taxpayers and local governments by forgoing them whenever possible.

Many temporary and permanent bridge construction are pre-assembled if they are made with prefabricated bridge kits. This saves builders time during the planning and construction phase.

Additionally, prefabricated kits manufactured by U.S. Bridge ensure the addition of a U.S. Bridge team member to oversee the construction, to make it efficient and effective.

Affordability: How does it affect your budget?

Recently, more and more bridges are completed with prefabricated construction and are produced with lightweight materials such as steel. This means that less heavy equipment is required for installation. For example, our bridge kits are assembled before they reach the job site.

Ultimately, the erection of a temporary and permanent bridge is more expensive since builders are erecting two structures rather than one.  Builders can save money by investing in a prefabricated permanent bridge rather than erect a temporary bridge.

Longevity: How long do you need the bridge?

Temporary bridges are just that: temporary structures. Its integrity is intended for a select period of time and in comparison to permanent bridges — which are meant to last for generations — it isn’t suited for nearly the same amount of constant traffic use. Temporary bridges may need frequent examinations to ensure that the bridge is able to hold the weight of daily traffic.

The life span of any construction will depend on the level of maintenance kept. Several elements such as the location, weather, and usage frequency all contribute to the erosion of a bridge. Additionally, the longevity of a bridge is determined by the material used. Builders can aid in the prevention of erosion by protecting their bridges with galvanization or other preventative methods.

Since each bridge varies, builders should seek the manufacturer for specific instructions on installation and long-term maintenance.

Build your bridge with U.S. Bridge

With over 80 years in the bridge construction industry, U.S. Bridges has designed, engineered, and built over 10,000 bridges worldwide. We’ve built various bridges from prefabricated to permanent construction such as the Mulholland Highway Bridge in Los Angeles County and the Marble Cliff bridge in Columbus, Ohio.

In addition, to facilitate the building process we design custom prefabricated Bridge Kits that come with one of our experienced team members to assist construction. We build each bridge to fit your specific needs. Contact us today and let’s talk about how we can make your bridge project a long-lasting success.

Ohio’s Construction Boom

Ohio's Construction Boom

Economic forecasters predict a slowdown in the construction industry. However, this does not seem to apply to Ohio’s metropolitan area. Our buckeye state is experiencing a construction boom with more than $4 billion in new starts (this year) including nonresidential, residential, and public works projects. According to the president of the Central Ohio chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors, the Columbus area has become the place to do business. So, in order to accommodate the influx of residents, construction companies are hard at work. U.S. Bridge is an Ohio native bridge company. Our mission is to serve communities by engineering and manufacturing steel bridges.

Numbers Don’t Lie

Throughout 2019, Ohio saw an increase in starts. Between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2018, the population of Columbus grew by 13.1%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

  • In 2019, nonresidential starts were at $2.6 billion – an increase of 38% from the same period in 2018
  • During 2019, residential starts were valued at $1.4 billion – an increase of 6% from 2018
  • Combined, these numbers amount to a 25% surge in new starts

The numbers are a telling indicator of the need for construction. In fact, at least 300 new projects are in the works for this busy metropolitan area. The modern job market is attracting more and more people, which demands ongoing construction. This includes the healthcare projects and further construction labor taking place at Ohio State University. Additionally, the dollar value of new starts has circled the total for the years of 2008 through 2014! Columbus is experiencing both a population and construction boom that is expected to continue at a quick rate.

Skilled Laborer Shortage

The continuous increase in the city’s population has brought upon a serious issue. There aren’t enough skilled trade laborers to take on the challenge. This inadequacy is driving an increase in project costs and completion times. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, the data released from their new survey claims that Ohio construction firms are expecting the construction boom to continue; 90% of companies report that they plan to hire additional workers throughout 2019. However, 88% of that population expect the hiring process to be a challenge. Unfortunately, this has become an issue of qualified workers on top of the existing shortage. Studies show that over one-third of firms agree that a lack of qualified talent is hindering the successful and timely completion of construction projects.

Solutions to Combat this Issue

33% of Ohio state respondents say they are using methods to reduce on-site work time. This includes:

Columbus Construction Boom

While the issue of worker shortage remains, construction in Columbus continues to attract new and existing citizens. So much so, companies such as Google, Amazon, and Facebook are also participating in the construction boom by extending their headquarters to the Ohio metropolitan area. The city has become known as a modern technology hub, attracting wide groups, especially millennials.

U.S. Bridge Can Assist

U.S. Bridge believes in thoroughly investing in America’s infrastructure. We help to make transportation possible with our durable quality bridges. With 10,000+ completed projects and 80 years of combined construction experience, U.S. Bridge will help make your project a success. In busy cities, like Columbus, that demand the possibility for easy transportation, our bridges serve communities both local and global. Get a quote today to start your next project today.

The Economic Benefits of Bridge Building

The Economic Benefits Of Bridge Building

Most of us don’t notice much about the bridges and roads that connect our cities and states. However, we would certainly notice if we woke up one day and they weren’t there. Bridges play a crucial role in various aspects of modern life, enabling us to get to work or school and contributing to the country’s economic development. This, of course, is something the American Society of Civil Engineers knows well. Every four years, this all-important group releases a bridge report card, assessing how these structures are holding up. Read on to learn more about bridge economic impact and what we can do to protect these structures moving forward.

Aiding in Infrastructure

Bridge economic impact starts with the way they support the transport of people and goods. Along with allowing companies to ship materials, bridges enable consumers to travel to shops and malls and visit new cities as tourists. When a bridge goes down, the surrounding area experiences a halt in economic activity, as people can no longer purchase goods and services with the same ease.

Supporting the Local Economy

Bridges also support the local economy, thanks to wages paid to construction workers and repair crews. Even the most well-designed bridges require regular cleaning and maintenance. Bridge workers then give this money back to the local community by paying taxes and purchasing local goods and services.

Connecting Communities

Bridge economic impact issues go beyond simple cash flow. Bridges connect people in different communities, allowing them to interact for work or play. This capacity is especially essential for areas where one town has an abundance of raw materials and another has a labor force in need of work. In this way, both people and communities can support one another.

What’s to Come for Our Nation’s Bridges

In assessing the country’s bridges, the American Society of Civil Engineers determined that the average bridge age is rising. As result, the United States will need to spend $120 billion or more to complete the necessary repairs and get all the bridges up to code. That’s where companies like U.S. Bridge can help.

Contact Us for a Consultation

As a leader in bridge design and manufacture, U.S. Bridge helps communities create safe, longer-lasting bridges. Plus, we build many of our bridges using prefabricated panels and assemble them in modules to expedite construction. For more about our services, call today or contact us online.