Blennerhassett Bridge Awarded Gustav Lindenthal Medal - Posted 6/3/08
The Blennerhassett Bridge in Parkersburg, WV, is the 2008 winner of the Gustav Lindenthal Medal. Doni Riddle, vice president, Industrial & Marine Coatings, Sherwin Williams Co., presented the award on Monday, June 2, 2008, during the annual International Bridge Conference® (IBC) in Pittsburgh.
The Blennerhassett Bridge in Parkersburg, WV, is the 2008 winner of the Gustav Lindenthal Medal. When completed this month, the bridge will carry Route 50 over the Ohio River and Blennerhassett Island. This prestigious award, sponsored by Bayer MaterialScience LLC, was presented to the West Virginia Department of Transportation, which owns the bridge; designer Dr. Gregor Wollman of Michael Baker Jr. Inc.; and contractor Walsh Construction Company. Doni Riddle, vice president, Industrial & Marine Coatings, Sherwin Williams Co., presented the award on Monday, June 2, 2008, during the annual International Bridge Conference® (IBC) in Pittsburgh.
Blennerhassett Island is home to a state park and has great historical significance. The bridge design was developed in cooperation with the State Historic Preservation Office and was subject to community input. Located near Parkersburg, WV, the bridge is 4,008 ft long, 100.5 ft wide and accommodates six lanes of traffic. The main span over the Ohio River features a 878-ft-long, network-tied arch. The arch span uses two families of crossing inclined hangers instead of the more typical vertical hanger arrangement. Use of this type of arch increases strength, stiffness and redundancy of the structure. The Blennerhassett arch currently is the longest-span structure of this type in the world.
Another noteworthy feature of this project is its distinction of being the first application of stay-cable-technology in an arch span in the United States. Benefits from this technology include ease of installation, as well as adjustment and replacement of cables inside the girder and arch rib. This provides protection from the environment and from impact, enhances appearance and allows inspection of the anchorages without the need for extensive rigging.
Construction of the bridge began in April 2005 and is scheduled to be completed in June 2008. When it officially opens, the Appalachian Corridor D – begun in 1965 as a primary, local transportation link – will be complete.
For more information, visit www.bayermaterialsciencenafta.com.
The Blennerhassett Bridge in Parkersburg, WV, is the 2008 winner of the Gustav Lindenthal Medal. When completed this month, the bridge will carry Route 50 over the Ohio River and Blennerhassett Island. This prestigious award, sponsored by Bayer MaterialScience LLC, was presented to the West Virginia Department of Transportation, which owns the bridge; designer Dr. Gregor Wollman of Michael Baker Jr. Inc.; and contractor Walsh Construction Company. Doni Riddle, vice president, Industrial & Marine Coatings, Sherwin Williams Co., presented the award on Monday, June 2, 2008, during the annual International Bridge Conference® (IBC) in Pittsburgh.
Blennerhassett Island is home to a state park and has great historical significance. The bridge design was developed in cooperation with the State Historic Preservation Office and was subject to community input. Located near Parkersburg, WV, the bridge is 4,008 ft long, 100.5 ft wide and accommodates six lanes of traffic. The main span over the Ohio River features a 878-ft-long, network-tied arch. The arch span uses two families of crossing inclined hangers instead of the more typical vertical hanger arrangement. Use of this type of arch increases strength, stiffness and redundancy of the structure. The Blennerhassett arch currently is the longest-span structure of this type in the world.
Another noteworthy feature of this project is its distinction of being the first application of stay-cable-technology in an arch span in the United States. Benefits from this technology include ease of installation, as well as adjustment and replacement of cables inside the girder and arch rib. This provides protection from the environment and from impact, enhances appearance and allows inspection of the anchorages without the need for extensive rigging.
Construction of the bridge began in April 2005 and is scheduled to be completed in June 2008. When it officially opens, the Appalachian Corridor D – begun in 1965 as a primary, local transportation link – will be complete.
For more information, visit www.bayermaterialsciencenafta.com.
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