CTDOT is Constructing the State's first Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil-Integrated Bridge System
May 6th, 2016
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is constructing the state's first Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil-Integrated Bridge System (GRS-IBS) as part of the Charter Oak Greenway Shared Use Path in Manchester, CT. This state-of-the-art technology reduces construction time and cost by using simple materials and methods. At 172 feet, the proposed single-span bridge over Camp Meeting Road is one of the longest GRS-IBS applications in the nation. Freeman Companies is proud to be providing geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring for this cutting-edge project. The monitoring data will be used by both CTDOT and Federal Highway Administration to evaluate the feasibility of future applications of GRS-IBS techniques on long span bridges.
This is not the first time Freeman Companies’ staff have been selected to support the use of this innovative system. Our Vice President of Geotechnical Services Nate Whetten was the Geotechnical lead on the first GRS-IBS bridge built by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, carrying State Route 7A over the Housatonic Railroad in Sheffield, MA. Utilization of GRS-IBS led to a 49 percent cost savings over the conventional construction cost.
Freeman Companies is honored to have the opportunity to pioneer the implementation of innovative, transformative systems such as GRS-IBS and we look forward to assisting DOTs and construction contractors utilize these cost saving systems on future projects.
Photo Credit: Connecticut Department of Transportation
