Replacement of simmonsville bridge over simmons brook

Steere, as Prime Design Consultant, provided project management, bridge design, highway design, and maintenance and protection of traffic for the replacement of Simmonsville Bridge No. 326 carrying Simmonsville Avenue over Simmons Brook in Johnston, RI.

The new bridge, which served to replace a structurally deficient and functionally obsolete concrete rigid frame, consists of precast, prestressed concrete voided slabs made composite with a cast-in-place topping slab supported on geosynthetic reinforced soil - integrated bridge system (GRS-IBS) abutments installed behind the existing abutments. The existing abutments were partially left in place for constructability and to help maintain the existing flow channel.

The bridge is the first in Rhode Island to utilize rebar made of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP), which is a material known for its high strength and durability. The bridge is also one of the first in Rhode Island to utilize true GRS-IBS technology, including the replacement of approach slabs with integrated approach zones.

The highway design services included modifications to the roadway profile to accommodate the deeper bridge section without reducing the size of the existing hydraulic opening beneath the bridge. Additional improvements included, but are not limited to, installation of a new 12-inch water main, drainage system modifications, removing and resetting the existing granite curb, and installation of new sidewalks, bituminous concrete pavement, guardrail, signs, and pavement markings. The proposed traffic management scheme included a full closure with detour route.

The project also included a new ductile iron water line across the bridge for the Town of Johnston.

Location: Johnston, RI

Owner: Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT)

Timeline: Design Completed in 2017; Construction Completed in 2019