The Big I

This $270 million project was the largest project ever undertaken by the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department, and was the first precast segmental bridge project in the state of New Mexico. Maintenance of traffic and schedule are the controlling factors for the project.

The project is located at the intersection of I-25 and I-40 and includes a total of 54 bridges, which was completed within two years. Ten of the 54 bridges are widening of existing bridges, 26 are new AASHTO bridges and eight (8) are new precast segmental ramps. The eight (8) precast segmental ramps include 601 precast segments with two different cross-sections, single-lane measuring 9.914 meters in width and double-lane measuring 12.914 meters in width. The ramps vary from 4 to 15 spans in length with an assortment of vertical and horizontal curves threading each ramp through the interchange.

The engineering inspection services provided by FINLEY for the 8 segmental bridges include independent verification of all geometry control activities; size and placement of reinforcement, items embedded into the segments and post-tensioning hardware systems; all concrete sampling at required frequencies and documentation; inspection/ documentation of steam curing activities; pre-stress steel sampling and documentation; reinforcing steel sampling and documentation; inspection/documentation of all post-tensioning and grouting activities; maintenance of shop drawing files that reflect as-cast conditions; review of casting curve vs. as-cast geometry; inspection of segment forms.

FINLEY also provided the following quality control services for the erection site: Inspection of temporary support works used in the segment erection; inspection of all temporary and permanent post-tensioning activities including all required documentation of stressing activities; inspection and sampling as required for grouting and epoxy activities; closure joint inspection; modulus of elasticity/in-place friction testing documentation.

The close coordination between the design office, the on-site field inspection staff, and the contractor’s staff had been instrumental in achieving the fast track schedule of two years.