The replacement of the Willis Avenue Bridge was part of the Improvement of East River Bridges project from 2000-2012, along with 145th Street Bridge and Third Avenue Bridge. Due to the East Harlem River’s strategic importance as a vital navigation connection to the ocean and in land shipping traffic, an offline replacement scheme was proposed for the main and approach span to keep the existing bridge in service while constructing the new bridge to the south.

UrbanTech was contracted with Kiewit-Weeks JV to provide construction engineering services, notably the float-in procedure of the new 350 feet steel truss swing span and the float-out sequences of the existing bridge span. Detailed finite element analysis model was constructed to predict the structural behavior of the bridge under dynamic wind loads, wave loads, collision loads, and ballasting loads during the transportation of the bridge on barge. The results of these analyses were integral in determining barge stability, construction sequences, feasibility of means and methods, and cost effectiveness of construction procedures.

Additionally, UrbanTech developed an in-depth finite element model of the Willis Avenue Bridge swing span for geometric control, including camber design, truss erection sequences, and monitoring and testing of the bridge reactions to the end machinery. UrbanTech also designed the sea-fastening system, erection falsework, and temporary loop tie-in.