The Chesapeake Bay Bridge, commonly known as the Bay Bridge, is a major dual-span suspension bridge in Maryland which spans the Chesapeake Bay connecting the state's rural Eastern Shore region with the more urban Western Shore. It features suspended spans of 1,600’. M&M began with the development of a feasibility study and conceptual design for sections of the Eastbound (EB) Deck Rehabilitation. Services included developing conceptual designs for new superstructures, bearing types, joint types, and construction methods; providing cost estimates for the recommended alternatives; performing deck study and seismic assessment peer reviews; and refining the previously initiated barrier study.
After the feasibility phase, M&M was selected to develop contract plans for the deck replacement and truss strengthening of the ten simple span deck trusses (2,800’). Minimizing traffic delays is the key component of this deck replacement project. The EB bridge must be closed for full-width deck panel removal and replacement. 8-hour nighttime closure are only available a very limited number of nights out of the year with most of them being in the period from late fall thru early spring. To ensure an existing panel can be removed, a new panel set in place and the bridge can reopen to traffic within the 8-hour window, a contractor is providing input in the final design process through the CMAR process.
M&M performed a field test on four locations on the Eastbound and Westbound Chesapeake Bay Bridges to better define the loads experienced by specific bridge members. Strain gages were installed and monitored with measurements recorded on several members that had a low inventory rating. A total of over 230 sensors were installed including resistance strain gages and string potentiometers.
Bridge Geometry
| Length of Main Span | 1,6000 feet |
|---|---|
| Total Project Length | 22,968 feet |
| Lanes on Structure | 2 lanes each direction (EB), 3 lanes in each direction (WB) |
