Colorado Railway Bridge Repair

A privately-owned railway bridge near Meeker, Colorado had concrete deterioration on its structural components. The concrete bent caps supporting the bridge showed signs of reinforcing steel corrosion. Due to the height of the bridge, access to the bent caps proved to be a challenge, as it is required that the railway be active during the repair process.

The bridge was originally constructed with concrete piers. Steel girders and a concrete deck support the railway ballast, ties, and track. Concrete deterioration at the pier caps near the girder bearings was the cause for repair and reinforcement. Access was gained from a custom swing stage scaffolding made with rods and plates, then hung by drilling holes in the deck.

The first step in the repair process is to remove the delaminated and damaged concrete. After the structural steel is exposed, our crews were able to dowel and tie new structural steel into existing concrete. Sacrificial anodes are installed to add cathodic protection to the reinforcing steel. Concrete is cast back into place and a penetrating concrete sealer is applied. Steel channels are added to both sides of the bent caps for additional reinforcement by grouting galvanized tension rods through the concrete cap.

This structural repair added longevity to the bridge. As an added measure of structural stability, steel channels are added to the bent caps. Sacrificial anodes add protection against steel corrosion.