Skanska was awarded a $172 million contract to rehabilitate the main spans of the Williamsburg Bridge for the New York City Department of Transportation. The entire reconstruction effort on this structure consists of nine contracts. In addition to this contract – number eight -- Skanska also completed contracts number four and six.
When the Williamsburg Bridge was completed in 1903, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world at 2,793 feet long. It spans the East River between the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan in New York City.
The bridge carries more than 100,000 vehicles and 90,000 people on the subway every day. The bridge is included in the reconstruction program for the East River bridges that started 1982. The program was initiated when it became apparent that the bridges were in such critical condition that NYC DOT either had to reconstruct the bridges or replace them.
Due to the historical and architectural value of the structures it was decided to reconstruct them.
During the rehabilitation and seismic retrofitting of the Williamsburg Bridge the 350-foot tall main towers were strengthened with 3.3 million pounds of steel. Intermediate towers were strengthened with 1.8 million pounds of steel. Two main stiffening trusses were de-leaded and repainted, totaling approximately 675,000 square feet.
The de-leading and repainting had an extremely aggressive schedule requiring completion within six months. Skanska scheduled work activities 24 hours a day 7 days a week in order to meet that goal.
The scope of work also included:
· replacement of the stiffening truss bearings at the anchorages and main towers
· chord stiffening top and bottom truss repairs
· installation of inspection platforms and maintenance travelers
· installation of an Intelligent Transportation System
