Construction Inspection Services for Repairs to Upper El Rancho Bridge

Scope:

To provide construction inspection services for bridge repairs.

Project Description:

KMEA acted as an extension of the Air Force’s management team during repair of a missile transport bridge at Vandenberg Air Force Base, making sure the construction contractor fulfilled all contract obligations and worked in compliance with accepted quality control and health and safety plans.

This 2,100-foot-long, precast I-girder bridge has a 35-foot-wide roadway that rises over the wetlands of San Antonio Creek and railroad tracks used by Union Pacific and Amtrak. The bridge includes 19 spans with 7-foot diameter cast-in-drilled-hole piles of up to 130-feet deep; pile caps, piers, and precast girders to support the bridge deck; and 1,329 feet of approach roadway.

Repairs included an assessment and renovation of the seismic structural lateral system, in compliance with ASCE-41 standard and California Department of Transportation’s specifications, which included shoring up the overall strength of bridges load bearing transport capabilities (20 tons) and installing the shear key.

Other aspects of the project included replacing anti-terrorism concrete barriers, curbs, standard metal beam guardrail, and utility hangers; repairing/replacing damaged/spalling concrete and rebar; providing and implementing a traffic control plan; coordinating with the railroad and obtaining railroad permits and flagmen; hot mix asphalt repairs for the road and other pavements; new approach pavement; demolition of the existing bridge deck; and revegetation and habitat restoration.

KMEA provided all field testing and inspection for all contractor work. This project had been on hold for an extended period because of bonding and other legal issues associated with the construction contractor. During that time, KMEA responded to Requests for Information. The AF project manager noted that KMEA was supportive and communicative on the issues involved.