Woods Memorial Bridge Replacement

This $69 million project, executed by our subsidiary, Judlau Contracting, Inc., included the replacement of two existing bridges - one fixed and one a bascule drawbridge - with new fixed bridges to enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety and improve connectivity for vehicular traffic between Everett and Medford, MA. The original bascule bridge was replaced with a three-span, continuous, steel-framed bridge structure over the Malden River. The 333-foot-long bridge has two piers constructed on 20 drilled shafts in the river and integral abutments founded on steel pile foundations. The work included demolition of the existing bridge structures, extraction of existing interfering steel piles to accommodate foundation elements for the new bridge, construction of concrete piers with four-foot diameter concrete drilled shafts, and cast-in-place columns and caps. The structure has concrete integral abutments and wing walls with steel piles and a protective fender system at the piers.

Critical project elements included curved steel girders and associated superstructure framing, concrete deck slab, sidewalks, approach slabs, scenic lookouts, 30-foot light standards and bases, pedestrian benches, and median barriers. A prefabricated modular retaining wall was installed as the northwest wing wall of the bridge, supported by a deep-seated driven steel pile foundation. 

Over the MBTA tracks, the second bridge was replaced with a two-span, 100-foot wide, continuous steel-framed bridge structure with integral abutments founded on steel pile foundations and a pier adjacent to the railroad supported by mini piles. The work included demolishing the existing bridge structure and constructing integral abutment and wing walls with steel piles, a secant pile wall abutment cap, steel plate girders, and associated elements for superstructure framing. Additional work included a concrete deck slab, sidewalks, approach slabs, traffic and pedestrian railings, medians, and installing a prefabricated modular retaining wall at the northeast, northwest, and southeast quadrants, supported by a deep-seated steel pile foundation and new staircase.

As a result of the diligent efforts of the project team, the project was completed one year ahead of schedule. It was the recipient of the Infrastructure Project of the Year Award from the Construction Management Association of America, New England Chapter. This commendation was one of four that the project received.