Approaches to Historic Bridge Rehabilitation

Case Study #1
Stenton Avenue Masonry Arch Rehabilitation
Michael J. Cuddy, P.E.
Principal

Kara Russell
Cultural Resource Specialist Central Office

Monica Harrower
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Cultural Resource Specialist District 6-0

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Stenton Avenue Bridge (S.R. 3003) over Wissahickon Creek

Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County

Bridge Description
Built in 1914 Total length of 168 feet as measured from end to end

of wingwalls 2-Span Masonry Arch Bridge (clear spans of 30 and 26) comprised of rubble-coursed field stone spandrel walls and parapets with concrete capstones that continue across the wingwalls. The voussoirs of the arch rings are partially parged. The intrados are parged, and concrete toe walls have been placed.
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Aerial View Showing Project Setting

Erdenheim Farm Washington Valley Park
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Wissahickon Trail

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Stenton Avenue Masonry Arch Rehabilitation

Completion Date: 2010 Cost: $1,050,000 Designer: TranSystems Owner: PennDOT Dist. 6-0 Contractor: J.D. Eckman

Company

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Significant Issues Associated With Project

Overwhelming inventory of structurally deficient bridges. Increasing number of structural failures to its masonry

arch population. Identified the need to develop a repair program that provided for expedited design process and cost effective repair methodology as well as one that preserved and renewed the cultural legacy of masonry arch bridges.

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Existing Structure
Average daily traffic: 9,774 vehicles per day. Important transportation link.
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Critical Condition due to masonry superstructure condition with

several Priority 0 and 1 recommendations requiring timely repairs.

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Structure Was in Critical Condition

Sections of the masonry walls exhibited cracks, bulges and missing

or displaced stones. The structure was classified as Structurally Deficient. Overall, the barrels were in good condition and suitable for reuse in the rehabilitated structure.

Substandard Bridge Railings

volumes. Masonry barriers inadequate height and strength. Substandard guiderail connections.

Existing roadway width (20-10) was determined to be adequate for traffic

How Significant Issues were Resolved

Replace earth fill with lightweight concrete fill. Reconstruct stone masonry parapets with reinforced concrete

cores and full width moment slab. Repoint masonry as needed. Scour repair and protection.

Temporary Support of Arches

Arch centering, constructed of a timber and pipe scaffolding system,

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installed to stabilize the arches during rehabilitation. The existing bituminous pavement, earth fill, masonry parapets and deteriorated sections of the spandrel walls were removed.

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Replaced Earth Fill with Lightweight Concrete Fill

Since the utilities would ultimately be encased in the concrete fill, carrier

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pipes were installed that would permit the smaller diameter utility pipes to be installed after the bridge rehabilitation. Concrete fill was placed over pier and abutments to stabilize the structure during masonry reconstruction.

Replaced Earth Fill With Lightweight Concrete Fill

Deteriorated sections of the spandrel walls were reconstructed and concrete fill was placed up to sub-grade level of the new reinforced concrete moment slab.

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Finished Concrete Moment Slab

Full width reinforced concrete moment slab with integral concrete

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barriers was constructed on the concrete fill. The barriers were faced with stone and finished with an integral concrete capstone for aesthetics.

Concrete Core Barrier

Stone facing was also provided on the fascia. Repointing was performed in accordance with the PennDOT Stone Arch
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Bridge Maintenance Manual and NPS Standards.

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Finished Roadway Section

A bituminous wearing surface was added to the concrete moment slab

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to provide the appearance of the original structure. Note increased parapet height and improved guiderail attachments.

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Finished Bridge

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How was Section 106 handled

PennDOT District 6-0 Stone Arch Bridge

Management Plan Ranked #57 (Not recommended for long term preservation). Pro-active approach by PennDOT engineering and cultural resource staff to develop rehabilitation procedures. Memo with project description prepared and forwarded to PHMC for review and approval. Finding of No Adverse Effect. All work performed within existing right-of-way.

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Lessons Learned/Conclusions
Through the development of a streamlined repair

methodology, PennDOT has been able to efficiently and cost effectively rehabilitate its stone arch bridges. Over the past year, construction contracts for 20 masonry arches have been let employing these procedures. Close coordination with the PHMC has resulted in findings of No Adverse Effect.

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Project has been awarded a 2010 Grand Jury Award by The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia