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Embankment support accomplished with approximately 78,000 square feet
of soil nail wall, which is shot-crete over wire mesh, then anchored
and followed by an MSE wall. Tight working conditions are prevalent. |
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When the Route 309 Expressway
was built in the 1950s, it was the first limited-access highway to connect
Philadelphia, PA, to the northern suburbs. Though something of a marvel
when new, increasing traffic volume throughout the ensuing decades on the
largely unimproved highway rendered it useable, but obsolete.
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(Above) One of seven new bridges required on the
2.5-mile job. They replace the original structures, which were built
in the 1950s. |
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The major design deficiency
was a lack of acceleration and deceleration lanes at the exits. In particular,
entrance-ramp traffic first had to completely stop, then merge immediately
with the high-speed traffic. In March 2004, a major highway rehabilitation
was begun to correct this long-standing problem along a heavily traveled
2.5 mile section of the highway north and south of the Pennsylvania Turnpike
Fort Washington Interchange.
No small amount of challenges faces the Allan A. Myers team as it undertakes
this work. Heavy traffic, difficult access and a demanding schedule must
be accommodated to complete the highway rehabilitation, bridge construction
and embankment support work required: "Planning and scheduling are
absolutely paramount on this job," says Gerard Maurer, project manager,
about the 309 project. The job is on track for a November, 2006 completion.
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