Replacement of Main Street over essex river

Steere performed bridge, highway, and utility design for the replacement of Bridge No. E-11-001 (2TV) carrying Main Street over the Essex River in Essex, MA.  The project included a superstructure replacement and substructure rehabilitation, requiring a temporary bypass road during construction including a temporary bridge and numerous utility relocations. The replacement was performed under the MassDOT Footprint Bridge Program.  

The new bridge serves to replace a structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridge which had a load posting, restricted travel way width, and temporary shoring in place due to severe deterioration. The superstructure spans 70 feet and consists of concrete butted prestressed box beams made composite with a topping slab. Superstructure depth was critical so as not to impact the hydraulic opening under the structure. 

Steere provided the design for all approach work, horizontal and vertical alignments, utility relocations, and right-of-way actions. Residential and commercial driveways located at each bridge approach were major constraints to the roadway profile and the roadway cross-section was adjusted to comply with America with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Complete Streets design requirements.

Maintaining traffic and access to the area during bridge replacement was a priority for the town. A temporary bridge and bypass road were constructed alongside the existing to carry traffic and utilities during construction. Extensive coordination with the Town and stakeholders was required to implement the bypass road. Steere developed an alignment that maintained vehicular and pedestrian traffic, minimized impacts to properties, and maintained emergency services along Main Street.

Location: Essex, MA

Owner: Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)

Timeline: Design Completed in 2021; Construction Completed in 2023