A convoy of special center dumping dirt haulers brings in material to build the north embankment.

 

 

The Rogers Lane bridge south embankment required blasting to prepare the abutment foundation. This is the array of bore holes, ready for explosives.

Photo by Paul Mobus

 

 

 

 

After the blast

 

 

The north abutment takes shape.

 

 

 

and the south abutment

 

 

Lots of rebar in the abutments

 

 

These steel columns are the forms into which concrete is poured to make the support columns for the bridge. They are guyed to large concrete blocks made for the purpose and sitting on top of the ground.

 

 

Guy anchor blocks. These can be transported and set on the ground wherever guy wires need to be anchored.

 

 

 

This is one of the rebar cages that goes into the columns.

 

 

 

A finished column.

 

 

 

The north abutment and column supports are ready.

 

 

 

This is the south abutment showing support positions for the beams. The beams require freedom to move with loads and thermal expansion. These supports are called pot bearings.

 

This is one of the pot bearings. Specifically it's referred to as a guided pot bearing. It allows some limited rotational freedom and permits the beam to expand and contract.

AMSCOT Bearings

Con-Slide Pot Bearings

 

 

A pot bearing up close. Notice the polished surface on the underside of the top bearing plate.

 

Looking north across the 64 bypass, the Rogers Lane columns are capped forming bents and all is ready for the steel beams.

At the end of the day park your small equipment out of harms way. Fifty feet up ought to do it!

The beams are laid starting from the north abutment. They are resting on pot bearings on top of the bent.

 

 

This part of the bridge spans the Norfolk Southern track.

 

 

 

The bridge to nowhere. 

 

This is the end of South Rogers Lane looking north. A few hundred yards through the woods is the other end of Rogers Lane. Some day they will connect.

 

 

 

Rogers Lane over the 64 Bypass over Crabtree Creek.

 

 

 

From the north end of the Rogers Lane bridge.

 

 

 

The north bent - about 50 feet up.

 

 

 

The north abutment, beams and bracing - you can seen the pot bearings supporting the beams.