Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems

"Get in, get out, stay out."

Why Use?

Prefabricated bridge elements and systems may be manufactured on-site or off-site, under controlled conditions, and brought to the job location ready to install. Using prefabricated bridge elements and systems facilitates meeting key public needs:

• Minimizes traffic impacts of bridge construction projects
• Improves construction zone safety
• Makes construction less disruptive for the environment
• Makes bridge designs more constructible
• Increases quality and lowers life-cycle costs

Traffic and environmental impacts are reduced, constructibility is increased, and safety is improved because work is moved out of the right-of-way to a remote site, minimizing the need for lane closures, detours, and use of narrow lanes. Prefabrication of bridge elements and systems can be accomplished in a controlled environment without concern for job-site limitations, which increases quality and can lower costs. Prefabricated bridge elements especially tend to reduce costs where use of sophisticated techniques would be needed for cast-in-place, such as in long water crossings or higher structures, like multi-level interchanges.

Prefabricated bridge elements and systems is one of FHWA's Priorities, Market-Ready Technologies and Innovations. More information is available at the R&T Web site www.fhwa.dot.gov/crt

Innovative Projects

• By Advantages
• By Elements and Systems
• Accelerated Bridge Construction List
• Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs)

Publications

• Projects
  • 2004 Brochure
  • Fact Sheet
• Manual on Use of Self-Propelled Modular Transporters to Remove and Replace Bridges
• Framework for Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems (PBES) Decision-Making
• MnDOT/FHWA Precast Slab System Workshop Summary Report
  • Mn/DOT Precast Slab System
• Cooper River Bridge uses prefabricated elements and system to fast track project delivery
• Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems in Japan and Europe
  • Scan Team Implementation Plan
  • Summary Report

• More Publications

Videos

• Graves Avenue Prefabricated Bridge Project

• More Videos