| Description: |
“Building
Bridges for a Brighter Tomorrow” was the NMDOT District
4’s I-40 Interchange Project located
in Guadalupe County, New Mexico. I-40 is a vital lifeline
of the country connecting major commercial interests on
the east and west coasts, and also carries many tourists
coming to and traveling through the State of New Mexico.
Because of their location and due to the large number of
travelers traveling I-40, aesthetics was a very important
part of the design from the onset.
The project
consisted of a set of three overpass bridges. To fulfill
the function of welcoming visitors to the “Land of
Enchantment” aesthetics were considered from the very
beginning of the project. These bridges are highly visible
along the Interstate and care was given to the appearance
and structural integrity of the bridges. Artwork was incorporated
into the MSE walls, wing walls, piers, and barrier railing.
A well-known artist and NMDOT bridge engineer, Morris Muskett,
was enlisted to add the color and design to the
bridges. The artwork was designed using a technique of disposable
foam or plastic of a given thickness to create recessions
into the concrete and the recessed area was then painted
in.
In addition, the three bridges were designed using identical
beams, bearings, deck, and substructure to the greatest extent
possible to help minimize construction costs. Since the cross-section
of I-40 remains essentially the same throughout this stretch
of I-40, the lengths of the bridges were also held constant.
Pre-stressed U-beams were selected for form as well as structural
stability. The U-beams allowed the required clearances over
I-40 while minimizing the earthwork required and the torsional
stability of the U-beams eliminated the requirement for exterior
diaphragms, allowing for easier construction and enhancing
the form of the bridge.
|
Result: |
The art work and design elements utilized
in these bridges resulted in visually appealing overpasses
that serve to welcome motorists to the Land of Enchantment.
The success of this project was a result of careful planning
and good communication between the project partners. Past
problems were identified and solutions to those problems
were incorporated into the design. Many people worked together
throughout the design and construction to create the aesthetically
pleasing, structurally efficient, cost effective, and durable
bridges that now exist.
|
