Bridges have become the key focus of U.S. infrastructure improvement. This work requires innovative building techniques and advancements in technology to ensure cost effective and efficient updates. Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) is one such technique.  Below we’ll define ABC and outline some of the benefits to using it over traditional bridge construction.

What is Accelerated Bridge Construction?

Using Accelerated Bridge Construction on a job means constructing bridge components off-site and then transporting them to the work site for installation. This off-site work allows for quicker project completion. Also, this faster completion time reduces the amount of disruption to surrounding areas during construction.

What are the Benefits of Accelerated Bridge Construction?

On top of reducing construction time and minimizing impact on the surrounding areas, ABC can also:

• Reduce total project delivery time
• Increase work-zone safety for the public
• Decrease weather-related work delays

Why Use Accelerated Bridge Construction?

First, Accelerated Bridge Construction has the capability to significantly reduce the length of time needed to rehab the approximately 150,000 bridges that require maintenance. In addition to completing jobs faster, this technique decreases costly lane closures and detours, which often eat up a project’s budget and sometimes end up costing more than the project itself.

What are the Roadblocks to Implementing ABC?

Perhaps the biggest obstacle to using ABC as a preferred bridge construction method is the change in traditional processes. Consequently, businesses and departments will need to adjust the way they manage these projects; instead, they must adopt project planning tools that can better account for tracking and managing off-site fabrication of bridge elements. As a result, additional training may be needed to appreciate all the benefits of ABC.

U.S. Bridge, a leading fabricator of steel bridges throughout the U.S., is proud to employ ABC in its bridge building process. Recently, U.S. Bridge witnessed the benefits of ABC first hand when they completed a bridge installation project in 26 days using an SPS Bridge with modular design elements. For this project, bridge components were built off-site and transported to the location for installation, similar to ABC.

If you’d like to know more about Accelerated Bridge Construction, please contact us today for a free quote. U.S. Bridge is committed to using the latest bridge construction techniques while improving the U.S. infrastructure.