Summary
The rehabilitation of the US 84 Mississippi River Bridge showcases the importance of “doing the right project” instead of only “doing the project right.” It also proves that doing the right project is not only the most sustainable but can also be the most cost-effective option, supporting the argument that sustainability can cost less.
Works included the repair of two faulty joints of the truss bridge, which was then 75 years old and 25 years past its design lifetime. It was an operation of high technical complexity and with no similar precedent, one that put the bridge in a vulnerable position during repairs. Careful preparation and detailed risk analysis made the project a success. It extended the lifetime of the bridge by 40 years, avoiding the need to construct a new one. The rehabilitation had significant environmental benefits at a fraction of the cost of replacing the bridge. In this case, doing the right project required outside-the-box thinking, being next to the client and advising early in the process before the RFP was issued, seamless cooperation among all stakeholders, and technical expertise and excellent preparation to minimize risks.
Research director
Dr. Spiro Pollalis
Research core team
Dimosthenis Lappas • Judith Rodriguez
