News

Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction was announced as one of nine national bridge building awards.
SKOKIE, Ill.--Nine winners have been named in Portland Cement Association’s (PCA) Eleventh Biennial Bridge Awards Competition. The competition, instituted in 1988, recognizes excellence in design and construction of concrete bridges. Roads and Bridges magazine was a co-sponsor of this year’s competition.

Big Cottonwood Canyon Bridge – Located in Salt Lake County, Utah, the Big Cottonwood Canyon Bridge provides access to a private development in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains. The site has steep grades, a conservation easement, and is adjacent to protected property. To meet this challenge, the engineer designed two bridges on switchback curves. The lower bridge provides an aesthetic entrance to the development, is sensitive to the environment, and satisfies the concerns of county officials. The bridge is 450 feet long with a switchback radius of only 80 feet and a 12% grade. A cast-in-place concrete triple cell box girder with five 90-foot spans supports the integral concrete deck. The girders are supported by single column bents and integral caps on spread footings. The bridge is designed to resist very high seismic activity with a peak ground acceleration of 176% of gravity.

Project Principals: Wasatch Pacific, LLC owner; Michael Baker Jr. Inc., engineer; Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction, contractor; and Harper Ready Mix, concrete supplier.

Jury Comments: This is an excellent design solution to a highly challenging project. This bridge literally fits the site in which it has been placed. The project is an excellent example of the versatility of cast-in-place concrete.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, August 18, 2005 -- Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company Inc. announced today that Salt Lake Commuter Rail Constructors has awarded the company a $23 million contract for the “Weber County to Salt Lake City Commuter Rail” project. Salt Lake Commuter Rail Constructors is the prime contractor on the project. Wadsworth’s contract includes the erection of two major bridges crossing Union Pacific Railroad tracks and the construction of several retaining walls along the I-15 corridor.

Kip L. Wadsworth, President and CEO of Wadsworth said, “We’re very excited about being a part of this project and are looking forward to working with Salt Lake Commuter Rail Constructors. We’ve worked with them for the last nine months as part of their bid team and have an appreciation for their skill and professionalism. We’re confident that they can deliver a high quality and on-time project.”

Addressing the specific work that Wadsworth will perform, Mr. Wadsworth continued, “Our official start date is August 22nd with a completion date of April 2007. With 30 years of experience the Heavy Highway industry, skilled personnel and business partners like Utah Pacific Bridge & Steel, Geotechnical Design Services and Chatfield Construction on our team, we’re confident that we can construct a safe, high quality and on-schedule product.”

Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company specializes in building bridges, overpasses and other Heavy Highway projects in the Intermountain West. The Company is also proficient in Design-Build, concrete paving, pile-driving and shoring, steel erection, commercial & industrial building construction and water tank construction. Celebrating its 30th year anniversary this year, the Company recently won two Best of State awards in the Commercial Construction and Sculpture categories and also ranked number 5 of 34 companies in the Intermountain Contractor’s Annual Rankings of Utah & Idaho’s Top General Contractors.