Monday, June 15, 2026
Keynote Session
Time: 8:00 – 10:00 AM
Details coming soon
Featured Agency Session
Details coming soon
ABC Session
IBC 26-01: Rapid Bridge Replacement After Devastating Floods: Designing for Sustainability and Resilience
Steven Noble, CMC | InQuik Bridges, Denver, CO
When catastrophic flooding destroyed a critical bridge in Adams County, Colorado, access for nearly 1,000 daily vehicles—including agricultural and freight traffic—was severed. The only available detour was narrow, unpaved, and unsuitable for commercial transport, forcing the county to act quickly and decisively.
This presentation details the county’s rapid response, showcasing a collaborative project that leveraged innovation, sustainable materials, and FHWA’s CM/GC delivery method to fast-track a permanent solution within five months, that would be more durable and resilient to future flooding events.
County officials, engineers, and contractors collaborated to evaluate five bridge replacement options, ultimately selecting an innovative, prefabricated modular system known for its speed of construction and long-term performance. The chosen solution featured pre-engineered components and a cast-in-place installation method that streamlined construction, minimized on-site labor, and delivered significant cost and schedule efficiencies.
To enhance the structure’s longevity and sustainability, the design also incorporated ASTM A1094, a corrosion-resistant reinforcing steel that offers superior durability and reduced maintenance requirements over the bridge’s lifecycle.
The completed bridge is a benchmark for sustainable and resilient rural infrastructure projects. Delivered in just five months—compared to the original 18-month estimate, the project demonstrates how thoughtful innovation, collaborative delivery, and advanced materials can rapidly restore critical access while building a structure that’s better prepared for future natural disasters.
IBC 26-02: Exploring the Design and Construction Challenges of an Accelerated Bridge Replacement: CR 571 Bridge over D&R Canal
Megan Fisher, WSP USA, Lawrenceville, NJ; Steve Esposito, WSP USA, Lawrenceville, NJ; Daniel Zaleski, WSP USA, Lawrenceville, NJ; Rakesh Srinivas Murthy, WSP USA Inc., Lawrenceville, NJ; Omar Hameed, New Jersey DOT, Trenton, NJ
The Washington Road Bridge over the Delaware & Raritan Canal in the Municipality of Princeton and Township of West Windsor, NJ is a critical connection for Princeton University and local traffic. The existing bridge was classified as Structurally Deficient due to a deteriorated abutment bulkhead that was observed to be losing fines and rotating. The project was advanced as a high priority bridge replacement with the objective of a fall/winter design period and construction primarily advanced the following summer. Other goals included minimizing maintenance costs, mitigating impacts to environmentally sensitive areas, maintaining aesthetics and the historical integrity of the site, and implementing Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) methods to complete the project in an aggressive timeframe to reduce impacts to the Princeton University Fall Semester. Prefabricated solutions were utilized including prestressed NEXT Type “D” Beams with precast-suspended backwalls, precast abutment bridge seats and sleeper/relief slabs; UHPC was used to connect precast elements. The superstructure was reinforced with stainless steel to reduce future maintenance costs and traffic impacts. Aesthetic timber façades, beam staining, and special details/finishes for bridge railings and guiderails were provided to satisfy stakeholders. Key challenges during design and construction included an accelerated schedule (award to final document submission was four months), meeting the needs of numerous stakeholders, utility accommodations, and managing material procurement schedules for delivery. Ultimately rapid timelines were achieved through extensive collaboration between the designer, owner (NJDOT), and the Contractor. The bridge was successfully re-opened to traffic within three months of initiating the roadway closure.
IBC 26-03: Accelerated Bridge Construction Methods for the Replacement of Bridges 1-488N&S
Nicholas Dean, PE, M.C.E., Delaware DOT, Dover, DE
This paper details the design and implementation of Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques in the replacement of Bridges 1-488N&S on US 13 in Blackbird, Delaware. US 13 is 4-lane divided highway with a projected Average Annual Daily Traffic of 13,500 vehicles in each direction. Bridge 1-488S, ranked first on Delaware’s list of deficient bridges, was a 42’-0” long concrete arch bridge built in 1920. Bridge 1-488N was a 40’-0” long concrete rigid frame built in 1933. To minimize extended traffic disruptions, DelDOT opted to employ ABC techniques in lieu of conventional methods to replace both bridges during a 45-day closure of US 13. When implemented properly, ABC techniques greatly decrease construction times, increase commuter and work zone safety, and minimize user costs. The new bridges are comprised entirely of precast elements: 120’-0” deck bulb tee beams; stub abutments; prestressed piles; approach, sleeper, and moment slabs; and T-walls. To ensure proper connection between precast elements, Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) was utilized. This project marks DelDOT’s first use of a UHPC mix that was batched off-site and transported for placement in a ready-mix truck. Additionally, the profile of US 13 was raised ~8’-6” to address pre-existing sight distance issues and improve driver safety. To accommodate the heavily accelerated construction timeline, Foamed Glass Aggregate was chosen as a backfill. By utilizing these ABC techniques, both bridges were opened in 44 calendar days. This paper will illustrate the pros, cons, and lessons learned from using ABC techniques for the replacement of Bridges 1-488N&S.