place in around five hours during the night using SPMTs supplied by the Sarens Group so that the interstate was fully open to traffic within eight hours.16, 17 The 2011 Sam White Bridge was UDOT’s 23rd ABC bridge move, which was “nearly double the number moved by all other states combined” at that time.16 UDOT is a national leader in using ABC and transitioned to ABC as common practice in 2010. This means that bridge projects in Utah consider ABC in the planning stages, and the Utah DOT Decision Chart is used to determine if ABC is appropriate. UDOT also updated its ABC standards and has since used a variety of ABC methods for a multitude of projects that include, but are not limited to, the use of prefabricated decks for deck replacements, prestressed concrete girders for bridges, and prefabricated bridge systems used with SPMTs or SIBC. These methods help UDOT minimize traffic delays, and the 2011 UDOT Annual Survey determined that 59% of the survey participants were in favor of UDOT’s use of ABC due to the reduction in traffic, while an additional 32% somewhat favored ABC.15 By the end of 2014, UDOT had constructed over 100 bridges using various methods of ABC.19 UPCOMING ABC PROJECTS UDOT’s use of ABC technology continued in 2022 with two bridge slides on Utah’s interstate I-80. The bridge slides are part of UDOT’s I-80 and I-215 Renewed project, which will improve I-80 between 1300 East and 2300 East and I-215 between 3300 South and 4500 South. Michael Baker International is the designer, and Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction is the general contractor. The I-80 and I-215 Renewed project includes the demolition and reconstruction of three bridges along I-80, the widening of a fourth bridge, and the removal and replacement of concrete pavement along several stretches of road. Since parts of these roads were first constructed in the 1960s, transportation officials expect the project to reduce travel delays and improve the condition of the roads.20 Selective closures for girder placement and bridge slides have occurred and will occur during the bridge replacements over I-80 interstate at 1300 East and 1700 East due to the live traffic on I-80. These two approximately 170-foot bridge replacements are a combination of traditional construction and accelerated bridge construction. The substructures are traditional cast-in-place foundations with full-height abutments, while the superstructures of both bridges are constructed to the side of the existing bridge. Part of I-80 was closed near 1700 East late last year, so the steel girders for the new bridge could be lifted into place and the rest of the bridge could be constructed. This process allows for the existing bridge over I-80 to remain open for traffic during the construction process as the new bridge was constructed next to the current bridge. The existing bridge was demolished, and the new bridge was slid into place over I-80 at 1700 East in 2022 when that section of I-80 was closed for bridge girder placement at 1300 East. The process will repeat at 1300 East, and once the bridge has been constructed, the original bridge at 1300 East will be demolished, and the new bridge will be slid into place. ABC was chosen for these two locations for several reasons: an aggressive schedule, the tight space available for ramps or detours and the area’s many businesses, houses, parks and trailheads. The selected construction method allows the construction of the new bridge while still permitting traffic to cross the existing bridge during construction. Other upcoming ABC projects are likely to occur in Utah given the rapidly growing population, the expanding economy, the increasing number of deteriorated bridges, and the additional federal funds from the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. According to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, Utah is one of the fastest-growing states. The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute 41
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