Bridge Erection and Demolition
New Ramp at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Client: Northeast Structural Steel, Inc. and El Sol Contracting and Construction.
Project Description: This project involved construction of a new on/off ramp to accommodate a new HOV lane at the Brooklyn approach to the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. The new on/off ramp consisted of 18 spans of continuous I-girders with span lengths up to about 120 feet. To make room for the new on/off ramp, two other major on/off ramps needed to be removed and replaced.
Our Role: William J. Frank Engineering prepared the erection plans for the steel I-girders for the new bridge and the two replacement ramps. Because several of the spans involved curved girders, special attention was required in establishing the erection sequence and analyzing the girders stability while being erected.
Patroon Island Bridge Interchange Rehabilitation, Albany, New York
Client: Halmar / A. Servidone – B. Anthony J.V.
Project Description: The Patroon Island Bridge Interchange which consists of I-90 over I-787 is one of the most significant and busiest interchanges in New York’s capital. The interchange consists of 6 major bridges including I-90 eastbound and westbound over I-787 and various ramp bridges. Originally constructed in the 1960’s the concrete deck had severely deteriorated and needed replacement. To reduce the impact to the traveling public, the NYSDOT elected to replace the deck incrementally span by span over weekend closures using pre-cast concrete deck panels. The project carried strict fines for not completing the deck demolition and replacement prior to re-opening of the bridge for rush hour traffic in the morning.
Our Role: The contractor hired William J. Frank Engineering to evaluate the engineering impacts of performing the deck replacement in smaller increments on a nightly basis. By performing the work at night in addition to weekends, the contractor could complete the project on an accelerated schedule. William J. Frank Engineering also prepared the deck demolition and slab erection plans for each of the 6 bridges in the interchange. Due to headroom issues on the bridges in the lower levels of the interchange, various slab placement systems were used. One of the erection methods involved using a heavy-duty fork lift on temporary decking to carry the slabs into their final position. Temporary towers were also required to support the bridge while the deck was removed and the forklift was in operation. A roll-in system was also used for some of the panels in which rollers were placed on the existing stringers. The panels were placed on the rollers and pulled into their final location.
Lower Turnpike Road Over Mettawee River Demolition and Erection
Client: Kubricky Construction
Project Description: This project was a rehabilitation of a Baltimore truss bridge, built in 1889. The project included removal and replacement of floor beams, stringers, and timber deck, substructure concrete repairs, pavement reconstruction at approaches, installation of box beam guide rail, and site restoration.
Our Role: William J. Frank Engineering was brought on to prepare demolition and erection plans for the existing floor beams, stringers and timber deck. The demolition and erection occurred simultaneously as Kubricky Construction advanced across the bridge.
I-87 over Route 9 and Trout Brook Bridge Demolition
Client: Kubricky Construction
Project Description: This project involves replacement of two bridges (northbound and southbound) that carry I-87 (Northway) over Route 9 over Trout Brook in the Town of Pottersville, NY. The bridges are multi-girder steel bridges that both consist of six simple spans of three feet deep beams for a total 
length of about 400 feet. The demolition and reconstruction of each bridge was done one bridge at a time while traffic for both north and southbound was directed onto the other bridge.
Our Role: William J. Frank Engineering was tasked with preparation of the demolition plans for the bridges. This included removal plans for the concrete deck and steel girders. Portions of the concrete deck over Route 9 and Trout Brook had to be ‘panelized’ with timber shielding located underneath so that concrete did not fall below.
Powerhouse Access Bridge at Proctor Station
Client: Kubricky Construction
Project Description: This project included the construction of a three span prestressed concrete beam bridge over Otter Creek in Proctor, VT. The bridge provides access to the existing powerhouse for the Central Vermont Public Service Corporation. The total bridge length is 265 feet with span lengths of 35 feet, 120 feet, and 110 feet.
Our Role: The contractor hired William J. Frank Engineering to assist with various aspects of the project. The contractor required a temporary bridge to set up their 80 ton crawler on west side of Otter Creek, which at the time had convenient access point. William J. Frank Engineering verified the capacity of the contractor’s temporary bridge (21 feet wide by 88 feet long) that they already had in storage, designed the Reinforced Earth Wall (GRES Wall) abutments for the temporary bridge, and assisted with the site preparation and grading for placement of the temporary bridge.
William J. Frank Engineering also designed a spreader beam used to lift the 120 and 110 foot long precast, prestressed concrete beams. The spreader was used so that the rigging would only iimpart vertical loads to the lifting loops of the precast beam. The spreader beam was made from a 24-inch diameter pipe and had a total length of 100 feet with a field splice at the center point.
William J. Frank Engineering, P.C.
12 Old Route 6 | Brewster, New York 10509 | 845.490.1393