Bridge Construction
Bridge construction has formed the core of Wyman & Simpson’s business since we were founded in 1924. Over the years we have built more than 100 bridges of steel, stone, concrete and composite beam design. Among of our earliest bridges were the iconic arched stone bridges that are the showpieces of Acadia National Park’s carriage paths, built for the Rockefeller family in the 1930s. In 2011, we completed construction on the nation’s first multi-span hybrid composite beam bridge, a 540-foot long by 32-foot wide Knickerbocker Bridge that spans the Back River, a tidal area in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. We have also completed two “bridges in a backpack” – the innovative composite beam bridge system recently developed by the University of Maine’s AEWC Advanced Structures and Composites Center. We are equally experienced with new construction, rehabilitation, reconstruction and value engineering projects with both in-water and on-land foundations and have built structures in the most challenging environments including environmentally sensitive sites, tidal areas and rugged terrain.
Bridge in a Backpack
Owner: MaineDOT
Contract Amount: $764,164
Completed: 2010
In 2010, Wyman & Simpson had three different composite bridge projects underway. This "bridge in a backpack" project spanning the Royal River in Auburn was challenging because it required construction of a headwall in steeper conditions than previous bridges built from this same composite design. The project also included removal of the existing single-span bridge, sheet pile cofferdams, utility coordination, h-pile installation, concrete abutments, four precast concrete retaining walls and approach earthwork.
Furbish Road- Maine Turnpike Authority
Owner: Maine Turnpike Authority
Contract Amount: $1.74 million
Completed: Substantially Complete November 2012
Wyman & Simpson replaced the bridge superstructure during the 2012 construction season. Work included a new concrete deck, steel girder replacement, concrete substructure modifications and repairs, approach paving and headwall modification at Maxwell Brook.
Lower Sandy Stream Bridge
Owner: MaineDOT
Contract Amount: $1.22 million
Completed: 2013
Crews replaced the aging bridge on Long Falls Dam Road with a longer 108' span bridge with galvanized steel plate girders. Steel sheet pile with a concrete whaler and tie back system was installed in front of the existing abutments for scour protection. The cast in place integral abutment are founded on 130' long h pile driven to bedrock. ZBAR reinforcing steel, a dual coated product was used in the deck, curbs and end posts for added corrosion protection. With the galvanized girders and dual coated reinforcing the bridge is exceptionally corrosion resistant.
Knickerbocker Bridge— Boothbay, ME
Owner: MaineDOT
Contract Amount: $3.84 million
Completed: 2011
Wyman & Simpson constructed the world's first multi-span hybrid composite beam bridge over the Back River in Boothbay, Maine. Bridge piers were built on site and 62 HCB beams – made of glass fiber, foam and steel – were trucked in from a manufacturing facility in Brunswick, Maine – and placed by W&S crews. Project included construction of pipe pile supported piers, rock anchor installation, composite beam erection, concrete bridge deck, bridge supported power, telephone, cable and town owned water main, two precast concrete retaining walls, 2,100 feet of roadway, boat ramp and parking lot construction. The project was completed under budget and ahead of schedule. It was dedicated in early 2011. The bridge – and two other composite bridges built by Wyman & Simpson – were featured in Maine Trails magazine. Read more.
Whites Bridge— Standish & Windham, ME
Owner: MaineDOT
Contract Amount: $1.47 million
Completed: 2010
To construct this replacement bridge, Wyman & Simpson crews removed an existing three-span bridge and replaced it with new three-span bridge. The project included pipe pile supported piers, concrete abutments, h-pile installation, structural steel erection, concrete bridge deck, four precast concrete retaining walls and all of the approach earthwork.
Boom Birch Bridge— Old Town, Maine
Owner: MaineDOT
Contract Amount: $1.35 million
Completed: 2007
This project, undertaken in 2007, was a fast-track demonstration bridge replacement for MaineDOT under the Federal Highway Administration's Highways for Life program. Because of the advanced deterioration of the existing bridge, the contract required the bridge to be completed in less than seven weeks. The bridge was constructed entirely of precast concrete components (shown here are crews placing one of the precast bridge abutments).
Mayall Road Bridge—Gray/New Gloucester, ME
Owner: Maine Turnpike Authority
Contract Amount: $2.58 million
Completed: 2009
Wyman & Simpson replaced the existing two-span Maine Turnpike underpass with a new two-span concrete-and-steel bridge. This project included construction of concrete abutments and piers on site; roadway shoring; steel girder erection; concrete bridge deck; 40,000 cubic yards of roadway embankment construction, 2,100 feet of new roadway construction and extensive traffic control on I-95. The project also included construction of a single-span steel arch bridge including sheet pile cofferdams, roadway reconstruction and utility coordination.