New London Turnpike Bridge 

East/West Greenwich, Rhode Island

KEY DESIGN ELEMENT:

Bridge Superstructure Replacement

Project Description:

The New London Turnpike Bridge No. 519 carries New London Turnpike over Interstate Route 95 and spans approximately 270 feet over the northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate Route 95.  Due to its deteriorated condition and low vertical clearance, which was cause for numerous collision damages, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation elected to replace, as well as raise the structure and roadway profile to provide for a minimum vertical clearance of 16'-3".

Commonwealth Engineers & Consultants, Inc.  was retained to conduct an extensive investigation, testing, comprehensive field inspection and detailed structural and seismic analysis to determine the extent, type of repair work required to the substructures, their suitability for reuse, as well as the most appropriate structure type.

Based on the complete inspection and testing report, design plans were developed for total superstructure replacement at a new and higher vertical clearance.  The existing four single span structure was replaced with a four span continuous structure.  Circular elastomeric bearings were used to dissipate and evenly distribute the anticipated seismic loadings.

As a result of the use of elastomeric bearings, the existing pier caps were only repaired and retrofitted to accommodate the new superstructure at a higher elevation.

The project required design within the Interstate Route 95 traffic constraints as well as coordination with respect to the relocation of the adjacent high voltage electrical lines.

New London Turnpike - Looking East