Project Overview
The Lewis and Clark Bridge is a 2,500-foot cable-stayed bridge connecting the east end of Louisville, Kentucky, and southern Indiana. The bridge features two diamond towers rising 300 feet above the Ohio River with 104 stay cables.
Prior to the bridge opening to traffic, Collins provided the initial inspection as a prime consultant to the owner and operator, WVB East End Partners, LLC. The initial inspection consisted of an in-depth inspection of all structural components of the bridge, both above and below water.
The above water inspection included a hands-on inspection of all fracture critical members including floor beams, edge girders, and cable anchor boxes. SPRAT rope access inspection techniques were used to perform a hands-on inspection of the concrete cable-stayed towers. Collins provided the manpower and equipment to perform the climbing inspection of the bridge towers.
The underwater inspection included Level I and II inspections, as well as a channel survey using a fathometer.
Following completion of the inspection, Collins prepared a detailed inspection report and documented the data in Indiana’s Bridge Inspection Application System (BIAS). The report included a summary of the inspection findings and existing conditions, an evaluation and recommendations, figures, photographs, and ratings.
All project operations were completed in accordance with the requirements of NBIS 23 CFR 650 Subpart C, the latest AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation, Indiana DOT Standards, as well as all applicable federal, state, and local standards and regulations.