The past few weeks before the rain started I was out inspecting the Providence River Network Arch which was featured on an episode of Mega Movers on the History Channel.
The arch was assembled downstream from the bridge site and moved by barge to the piers.
Also included in the inspection of the arch were the cables and connections to the arch and bottom cord. With two 45 foot bucket trucks and an 80 foot man lift we were able to inspect the North and middle arch. The inspection of the South arch is being scheduled for a night in the near future when we can safely close one lane of traffic over the bridge.
The arch spans over 400 feet over the river and allows boats to pass under the bridge and through the hurricane barriers. The underside of the arch including the bottom cord and floorbeams were inspected using a man lift on a barge.
The bridge also has two spans which consist of steel box girders and four spans consisting of concrete butted box beams. The spans consisting of concrete butted box beams are were labeled up to "MM", very close to the maximum number of beams I have inspected in one span.
The interior of the steel arch was inspected after the air was tested and okeyed by confined space professionals. While inspecting the interior the use of a mask, air quality monitor and a tyvek suit came in handy. While inspecting the interior of the arch cracks were noticed in the welded diaphragm connections and were confirmed using dye penetrant tests in multiple locations.
Goodbye Providence River Bridge, see you in two years??
