Bridge Repairs

ENGINEERING NEWS RECORD

Engineering News Record February 15, 1999

New York (ENR) -- New York City's famed Brooklyn Bridge is quietly undergoing an emergency repair to prevent concrete chunks from falling off the 115-year old span.

Yonkers, NY based Yonkers Contracting Co. was awarded a $33.5 million fast-track redecking contract last October by the City's Transportation Department. Agency Commissioner Wilbur Chapman says an inspection last summer determined that the 50-year old concrete and steel deck would not last its expected 60 years. Deeming the job an "emergency" allowed the city to expedite the normal two-year procurement process.

The night work-only job, which must be complete by October 20, offers Yonkers big incentives and bigger penalties. The firm faces a $45,000-a-day penalty for each work day past Oct. 20 and $500-per-minute charge for each morning past 6AM. Incentives of $45,000 a day for early completion are capped at $900,000 total, says Chapman.

A cable-supported aluminum platform under the bridge is being installed now, says John Kolaya, Yonkers' vice president. In april, two crews will begin removing four 7.5 x 30-ft. sections of deck and stringers each night and replacing them with new 30 x 30-ft. new deck.

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