2024 Southeast Best Projects
Merit Highway/Bridge - Harkers Island Bridge Replacement Project
Photo by Peter Distefano
Harkers Island Bridge Replacement Project
Beaufort, N.C.
Award of Merit
Submitted by: Balfour Beatty
Owner, Lead Design Firm, Structural Engineer: North Carolina Dept. of Transportation
General Contractor: Balfour Beatty
Civil Engineer: RS&H
The project team delivered a fixed-span bridge to replace the existing bridges connecting the mainland to Harkers Island, N.C. The new bridge was built over The Straits waterway, which is frequented by local commercial fishing vessels, along with other commercial and pedestrian vessels.
The bridge was constructed east of the existing bridges and provides unimpeded access for drivers traveling between the mainland and Harkers Island.
The design includes the use of non-corroding, carbon fiber reinforced polymer strands and glass fiber reinforced polymer rebar. The team mobilized within one month of award to start in-water work. To stay within a strict six-month timeframe for the in-water work, night shifts were added and work continued around the clock to install a 2,600-linear-ft section of work trestle and 135 foundation piles.
Once traffic was placed on the new structure, one existing bridge was demolished and the other was retrofitted to provide walking access to a renovated fishing pier. The new bridge opened to traffic more than one year ahead of schedule.
-(10).webp?height=200&t=1666634866&width=200 "South West 1st Street Bridge Replacement")
