DETAILS

Scope: RLW is building a new 175-ft. high, 1,285-ft. long bridge over the Yellowstone River at the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park. 

Innovation: The new bridge is located in a steep sloping canyon, constrained by a highway, the Yellowstone River, and strict limits of disturbance in the protected area, creating challenges for crane placement. RLW used 3D modeling to evaluate various scenarios for the placement of three different cranes on the sloped terrain to account for safety and slope stability. The team also modeled the structure during each stage of erection to plan 12 field splices for each of the 5 girders.

Value Metrics: 

• New bridge weighing more than 5 million lbs. at height of 175 ft.
• 58,200 square ft. of deck installation
• Challenging site that included steep canyon terrain, high winds, and hydrothermally and geothermally active zone