N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Gene Conti has awarded a $3.2 million contract to do preservation work on six bridges in Davidson, Davie and Rowan counties. The contract was awarded to American Contracting & Services Inc. of Jeffersonville, Ind.
In Davidson County, crews will repair areas where the concrete on the Hickory Tree Road bridge over U.S. 52 near Welcome has deteriorated. Then, they will place an epoxy coating on the bridge’s driving surface to seal and protect it from water damage.
In Davie and Rowan counties, crews will do hydro-demolition work on the surfaces of the following bridges:
• The bridge on I-40 East over Hunting Creek near Mocksville;
• The bridge on I-40 West over Hunting Creek near Mocksville;
• The bridge on I-40 East over the Yadkin River between Bermuda Run and Clemmons;
• The bridge on I-40 West over the Yadkin River between Bermuda Run and Clemmons; and
• The bridge on U.S. 29 North over I-85/U.S. 601 just east of China Grove.
The hydro-demolition process allows crews to use high-powered jets of water to remove any deteriorated concrete. They will then place a layer of latex-modified concrete on the driving surface of the bridges to improve the ride quality for motorists, as well as seal and protect the pavement from water damage.
The bridge preservation work can start anytime between May 1 and Oct. 1, with final completion set for 280 days after the start date. Overall, it will help to improve the health of these bridges and extend their lifespan by proactively addressing any issues before they become too extensive to repair. The work will also minimize the frequency of future maintenance on the bridges, which will mean less disruption to traffic.
This is one of 34 contracts totaling $130.8 million awarded by Conti following NCDOT’s March contract letting for highway and bridge projects across North Carolina. NCDOT awarded the contracts to the lowest bidders, as required by state law. The bids received on the projects awarded came in about 1.4 percent, or $118.8 million, below NCDOT estimates.