Temporary Span May Signal More Permanent Applications
A rural state route in northwestern Massachusetts is the site of the first U.S. launch of a prefabricated panel bridge that uses bolts instead of pins. Officials say the cost-saving method may help state transportation departments ease the need for permanent structures.
"It's not our biggest bridge, but it is good-sized," says Kevin Traynor, sales representative for Mabey Bridge & Shore Inc., Elkridge, Md. The firm literally rolled out its "delta" bridge on State Route 112N this month over the North River in Colrain. The 236-ft-long truss panel bridge has a 24-ft-wide roadway and a cantilevered 5-ft-wide walkway. The bridge is load-rated HS 20, meaning it can support standard highway vehicles.