Williamsburg Bridge Contract #8

Rank #10
Cost: $173 million

When it became apparent in the early 1980s that the Williamsburg Bridge would either have to be reconstructed or replaced, the New York City Department of Transportation chose the former.

Built in 1903, the 2,793-ft. bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Because of its historical and architectural value, the city decided to reconstruct the structure rather than replace it. Work on the $600 million project began in 1991.

In 2003 Koch Skanska of Carteret, N.J., began work on a $173 million contract for the rehabilitation of the main spans of the bridge - the latest contract awarded for the project. The project, which is scheduled to finish in early 2006, will include the rehabilitation of the tower bearings, truss system, steel structure of all eight towers and work on the north comfort station houses. Also planned is the replacement or adjustment of the cable suspenders, installation of maintenance travelers (inspection platforms) under the main span and painting of the stiffening trusses.

Architectural work will include the restoration of decorative lights and the Brooklyn granite stone monument. Work inside the anchorage houses on both the Manhattan and Brooklyn sides will include the construction of new stairs, a hoisting system, oiling of platforms, and ventilation and lighting. The project will also include the installation of an Intelligent Transportation System.

During the rehabilitation and seismic retrofitting of the bridge, the 350-ft.-tall main towers will be strengthened with 3.3 million lbs. of steel, and the intermediate towers will be strengthened with 1.8 million lbs. of steel. The two main stiffening trusses will be de-leaded and repainted, totaling approximately 675,000 sq. ft.

The de-leading and repainting has an aggressive schedule that requires completion within six months. To meet the tight schedule, Koch Skanska has planned work activities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The bridge spans the East River between the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan and carries more than 100,000 vehicles and 90,000 people on the subway every day. And the project must be completed with minimal interference with traffic flow.

The transportation department has instituted traffic mitigation measures such as installing message signs on nearby roadways, including the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, to provide motorists with real-time traffic conditions. It also has dedicated a tow truck service to ensure quick response in clearing disabled vehicles from the bridge.

In addition, Koch Skanska faces severe penalties for delays in activities that affect vehicular traffic. The milestone for the reopening of the lane closures utilized for the truss painting includes a $50,000-a-day penalty with no maximum limit for late opening.

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