Reconstruction of a Damaged Steel Beam Bridge Using an Overhead Support System

Reconstruction of a bridge damaged by a backhoe on Interstate 494 and Xerxes Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2006 is discussed. The backhoe was extended above the clearance height of the bridge and, after extensively damaging the first five beams, became hung up under the bridge. The backhoe bucket had to be cut off before the truck and backhoe could be removed from under the bridge. The conventional method of supporting a bridge during reconstruction is reviewed and is then compared with the unique system that was used to support the remaining steel beams during reconstruction. The main design features and actual field methods are highlighted as well as a special lifting capability that was used to deal with a difficult field problem that arose.