U.S Route 20 Bridge over Quaboag River

Monson & Palmer, MA

U.S Route 20 Bridge over Quaboag River

Monson & Palmer, MA
  • Preliminary and final bridge design
  • Geotechnical design
  • H&H modelling
  • Scour countermeasure design
  • Regulatory permitting
  • Load rating report
Overview

Pare provided professional engineering services for the complete replacement of the U.S. Route 20 bridge over the Quaboag River. Pare performed a two-dimensional Hydraulic and Hydrologic (H&H) analysis of a considerable length of the Quaboag river to determine the floodwater effects on the bridge, the scour potential, and verify that the established flood elevations remained unchanged after construction. The existing two-span bridge is being replaced by a single 125-foot span galvanized plate girder bridge with a reinforced concrete deck slab. New ADA-compliant sidewalks were included on both sides of the bridge, and the 8-foot wide shoulders will accommodate bicycle users. The new concrete abutments were shifted approximately 15 feet to better suit the natural river alignment. The concrete center pier was demolished to remove the obstruction from the waterway. Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls with stone-filled gabion basket facing were used to prevent permanent wetland impacts and to avoid the negative visual impacts that tall and long conventional concrete walls have.