The Courtland Street Bridge Replacement

The $21 million Courtland Street Bridge Replacement project replaced the original 1,077-foot-long, 28 span, 111-year-old bridge along Courtland Street over Decatur Street and rail lines owned by MARTA and CSX. HNTB served as program management consultant for this design-build accelerated bridge construction project for Georgia Department of Transportation.

The project team employed several techniques to mitigate impacts for this high-density urban area, including: constructing protected access and exit areas through the work zone to key GSU buildings; employing specialized equipment to install new bridge foundations beneath the existing bridge in advance of the road closure; using accelerated concrete mixes; applying precast concrete beams for fast completion of bridge superstructure; and implementing an aggressive work schedule.

Under the original concept, the reconstruction of the bridge would have taken at least 18 months. Using design-build and accelerated bridge construction (ABC) delivery methods, the total construction time was cut in half. Construction partners had 180 days from the closure date to demolish the old bridge, construct the new bridge, and reopen the street to traffic. The project team was able to meet substantial completion at 152 days.

The bridge provides connectivity to downtown Atlanta for thousands of motorists and more than 30,000 students and staff at Georgia State University (GSU). The new bridge includes a 12-foot bus lane to accommodate the on- and off-loading of passengers and expanded sidewalks for pedestrian traffic. Also, ASCE Georgia has recognized the Courtland Street Bridge Replacement as Transportation Project of the Year.