Martin Branch Road

 

Project Type

Bridge Replacement

Location

Texas, USA

Date

2007-2008

Team

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

 

Images © Florida International University

From 2007-2008, the SPS Technology team worked alongside TxDOT to deliver a quick replacement of the Martin Branch Bridge in Wise County, Texas. The existing single-lane bridge had deteriorated far beyond repair, so Sandwich Plate System was selected to meet the need for a fast, durable and lightweight solution.

Prefabricated SPS decks were delivered as half-width bridge units complete with longitudinal girders. This modular approach allowed the three 13-foot-wide, 50-foot spans (150 ft total) to be installed in just under three days using conventional equipment and without any concrete decking!

The resulting structure provided two full traffic lanes, improved safety shoulders and a deck weighing roughly one-third of a conventional concrete alternative.

Award-Winning Bridge Replacement with SPS

The success of this bridge replacement project led TxDOT to nominate SPS for the AASHTA Innovation Initiative Award, which it won in 2014.

Over several years of follow-on testing and performance monitoring, SPS bridge decks demonstrated:

  • strong durability
  • consistent quality
  • reliable performance
  • accelerated construction schedules
  • improved site conditions
  • immediate use of the structure for the community

 

If you would like to learn more or talk about how SPS can support your next bridge project, please get in touch with our team today.