Friday, November 24, 2023

1935-2016+1991+2015 I-64+US-40+US-61 Daniel Boone Bridge over Missouri River at Chesterfield, MO

(Bridge Hunter broke Mar 22, 2023; Historic Bridges; John A Week IIISatellite, 107 photos)

"This bridge was a rare example of a riveted continuous through truss. It was particularly uncommon because it had four main spans, but they were configured as two two-span continuous truss bridge components. As a result, if the placement of piers is ignored, the bridge looks like it has two spans, instead of four." [HistoricBridges]

Street View, May 2019

The new bridge obviously uses steel girders. I chose the transition from approach spans to main spans to show how deep the girders are. The main span girders look about as tall as a simi-truck trailer.
Street View, Jun 2023

If I go back to 2013, the old span is still standing.
Street View, Jun 2013

alberici
The new bridge replaced the 1935 bridge and cost $113m. The crossing handles "80,000 daily travelers."

alberici
"The new bridge measures 2,615 feet [800m] with a main navigational span of 510 feet [155m], making it the longest parallel flange plate girder bridge ever built over the Missouri River....Its deep-water foundations are designed to resist seismic events and barge impacts, even during major floods."

John is headed westbound in 2008.
John Weeks

alberici
"The bridge also includes a separate 10-foot-[3m] wide shared-use path that connects two popular recreational trails on either side of the river. It is designed to protect cyclists and pedestrians from interstate traffic and features pedestrian overlooks that offer a scenic view of the river below."

alberici

alberici
It uses weathering steel.

AmericaTransportationAwards
This source puts the cost at $114.5m.

RoadTraffic, Credit: MDOT
The second truss bridge is also a continuous truss. "The new bridge has a minimum expected lifespan of 100 years."

MDOT

A Google search showed three videos of the demolition. I didn't bother watching them. I agree with Historic Bridges, a bridge that was good enough to carry interstate traffic could carry non-vehicular traffic for many more decades. And that would have saved the expense of adding the 10' (3m) non-vehicular lane to the new bridge.


No comments:

Post a Comment