Gay Street Bridge, SR 113, Section 08B
Location: Chester County, Pennsylvania
Client: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
JMT provided a full range of services to replace a landmark
bridge with a new structure that met the community's expectations
within a historic district.
The Gay Street Bridge, a massive 12-span concrete spandrel arch
constructed in 1924, required replacement due to
deterioration. Although the bridge was not individually
eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, it was
considered as a contributing element to the Phoenixville Historic
District. JMT provided design, survey, environmental, and
public outreach services to replace the landmark with an
aesthetically pleasing, 972'-6" long, nine-span steel arch
structure that met the functional and cultural needs of the site
while enhancing public safety and accessibility.
JMT led an extensive public
involvement program to provide a bridge that the local community
would embrace, that allowed for future site development, and that
provided an increased load carrying capacity. JMT made a concerted
effort to preserve and document the history of the site (the former
Phoenix Iron Works) and incorporated numerous context sensitive
design solutions to complement the historic setting, including the
type of replacement structure as well as the color of the steel,
the light poles, the sidewalk treatments and the architectural
treatments. Other features included designated areas on the
bridge to provide overlook vistas of the historic property beneath
and around the new bridge with markers to convey the historical
significance, and walking and biking trails under the bridge along
French Creek.
The project was completed and opened to traffic approximately
three months ahead of schedule. JMT was recognized for our ability
to work collaboratively with the community, the various regulatory
agencies, and the contractor and the client. This new
structure allows for safe and adequate pedestrian, vehicular and
emergency services movement between the downtown area of
Phoenixville and the north side of the community, while retaining
the historic significance of the site.
This project received several
awards:
- Outstanding New Multi-Span Bridge, from
Association for Bridge Construction and Design (ABCD)
- Outstanding CSS Bridge Design, from
Association for Bridge Construction and Design (ABCD)
- Project of the Year for projects with a total
construction cost greater than $10 Million, from American Society
of Highway Engineers (ASHE) Delaware Valley Region
- Honorable Mention in Excellence in Highway
Design Awards for Structures Costing $10 Million or more, from the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
- Merit Award for Medium Span Structures, from
the National Steel Bridge Alliance
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