Throgs Neck Bridge Deck Replacement

Our subsidiary, Judlau Contracting, Inc., replaced the original concrete roadway, which dates back to the Throgs Neck Bridge's (TNB) original construction in the late 1950s, with a new, lighter-weight, more substantial steel deck. A work access safety platform was installed beneath the roadway, and temporary overhead gantry cranes were erected to facilitate the roadway reconstruction. This allowed the work to progress while mitigating impacts on traffic.

The $259 million project has breathed new life into the span that carries six lanes of I-295 traffic over the East River and links Queens and the Bronx in NYC.  The new road deck has increased safety, travel reliability, and the longevity of the suspended structure, which millions of drivers use annually to connect with a vast network of highways throughout the Tri-State area.

Under an accelerated schedule, OHLA USA worked in tandem with its subcontractors and suppliers, including the orthotropic steel deck fabricator, Cimolai S.p.A. of Porcia, Italy, to ensure prompt fabrication, delivery, and installation of the sections for the new orthotropic steel deck designed for a 100-year life span that would replace the original concrete-filled steel grid deck. The new deck was installed in 592 prefabricated sections using the three overhead gantry cranes. The sections were welded into three monolithic units, one in each span. The new deck is protected with a waterproofing membrane and a two-inch Rosphalt overlay.

Also included were new concrete decks at the towers and anchorages, modular expansion joints, concrete median barriers, and new drainage and roadway lighting systems. Installation of new fire standpipes between the TNB Bronx abutment and the Queens’ anchorage; installation of new roadway lighting within the TNB spans and Queens’ approach; removal and replacement of four suspender ropes; steel repairs; and strengthening and painting of the main trusses and floor trusses were part of the project's expansive scope.  The Judlau project team was also responsible for placing new overhead signs and sign structures. 

To ensure the safest conditions for the workers and the 100,000 drivers that cross the 2,900-foot-long bridge daily, the team spent considerable time creating plans for multiple staged Maintenance and Protection of Traffic.  Sophisticated communication systems were also in place to ensure that drivers received up-to-the-minute updates regarding lane closures.