Carroll Engineering Corporation's Recent Bridge Work in Bucks County
Bucks County recently re-opened the Walnut Street Bridge – Bridge No. 13 – in Perkasie Borough after over a year of construction. The bridge was taken out of service in October 2017 to initiate the bridge replacement project. Bucks County Bridge No. 13 was previously reconstructed in 1907 (original crossing built in 1867) and was a three-span, concrete arch structure with spans of approximately 65 feet. The bridge carried two lanes of traffic and a sidewalk along the upstream fascia.
Carroll Engineering Corporation (CEC) designed the new bridge with a total length of over 200 feet comprising of a three-span, composite, continuous for live load, prestressed adjacent box beam bridge. The bridge has individual spans of approximately 70 feet and an out-to-out width of approximately 49 feet. The bridge carries two lanes of traffic and sidewalks along both sides of the bridge. The bridge substructures consist of reinforced concrete wall piers and cantilever abutments founded on spread footings. The new bridge also incorporates decorative lighting and colored stone formliner for aesthetic and context sensitive purposes. Four plaques have been installed at the bridge site commemorating the original 1867 bridge, 1907 reconstructed bridge, 1970 rehabilitated bridge and the new structure. Other significant aspects of the construction include reconstruction of the approach roadway, new vehicular and pedestrian signals, new retaining walls, ADA ramps, guiderail and curbing, sidewalk and drainage improvements.
Bridge No. 13 is one of 115 owned and maintained by the County of Bucks and its General Services division.