GEC performed the Preliminary and Final Design and Electrical Operation of the proposed in-line replacement of the existing Strauss Heel Trunnion Bascule Bridge with a new proposed Rolling Lift Bascule Bridge (the Project).
The existing bridge is owned, operated and maintained by the Port of New Orleans and has two operational railroad tracks. The two vehicular traffic lanes have been closed to traffic due to damages from hurricanes. The existing bridge, to be replaced, has a Navigational span of 117’ and a Tower span of 42’ and is a combination railroad and highway bridge which was open to traffic in 1920. The existing bridge river spans consist of painted riveted steel through truss type movable bascule span supported by concrete type piers on piles. The existing bridge approach spans are simple span structures for the railroad and highway traffic. Each approach structure consists of painted riveted steel girders and concrete type piers on piles.
GEC performed professional engineering services in connection with the structural and electrical components of the proposed Rolling Lift Bascule Bridge Superstructure as noted below:
Structurally
GEC performed the movable bridge structural superstucture design calculations for the proposed combination highway and railway steel trusses, portals, sway frames, stringers, girders, floorbeams, diaphragms, bearings, track girders rack frames, counterweights, open grid floorings, and barriers for the proposed single leaf scherzer rolling lift bascule movable 204’ span.
Electrically
GEC performed the electrical design for the Project. The project required that no PLC/computers be used to control the bridge operations and, therefore, results in a control system completely composed of hardwired relays.
Investigations
GEC created a concept of how control of the bridge could be done. Because the bridge is going to be limited in outage time, the new control building was formulated and located on the opposite river side of the existing control room. Utilities had to be located to feed the new control room without killing the old control room.
