Walt Whitman Bridge

Client: Delaware River Port Authority

Project location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Gloucester, New Jersey

Project cost: $21 million

 

The Walt Whitman Bridge's main suspension span and approaches were long overdue to be rehabilitated, widened and re-decked. DMJM Harris prepared the preliminary and final design for the project, moving from Notice to Proceed to PS&E in just 11 months.

 

The structure has 1,000 feet of continuous stringer spans, 2,600 feet of simple deck girder and floor-beam spans, 3,000 feet of deck truss spans and a 3,500-feet suspension span. The scope of work included roadway reconstruction, toll plaza improvements, signing, lighting, drainage and safety upgrades. The electrical system on the bridge was also upgraded, and new traffic control systems were installed.

 

Keeping traffic moving and protected during construction was a major concern in the design process. To keep six traffic lanes open during peak hours, the re-decking was scheduled to take place in seven stages over four-and-a-half years. During that period DMJM Harris provided construction consultation services, including shop drawing review and RFI investigations.