Firm Garners ABCD Short-Span Category Award, Outstanding Achievement Award
Lancaster, Pa. — RETTEW, a multidiscipline engineering, planning, surveying and environmental consulting firm, recently received the 2009 award for outstanding new short-span bridge from the Susquehanna Chapter of the Association for Bridge Construction and Design (ABCD). ABCD recognized RETTEW for the firm’s replacement of Auction Road Bridge, located in Rapho and Penn Townships, Lancaster County. The firm also garnered an outstanding achievement award for replacing Oregon Road Bridge (SR 0722), located in Manheim Township, Lancaster County.
“RETTEW worked closely with both clients to ensure that these two structures not only improved roadway safety but also preserved the historic setting in which they are located,” said Mark P. Lauriello, PE, president, RETTEW.
Auction Road Bridge
Located in Penn and Rapho Townships, Auction Road Bridge was originally a one-lane bridge built in 1916 as a reinforced concrete tied-arch structure carrying Auction Road over Big Chickies Creek. Eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, the prior bridge was one of only four reinforced-concrete tied-arch bridges remaining in the commonwealth. With the bridge’s concrete deteriorating and its inability to meet modern-day traffic demands, Lancaster County retained RETTEW to replace the structure.
RETTEW designed a context-sensitive bridge that mimics the tied-arches of the original 1916 structure and replicates the technical and aesthetic features of the prior bridge. The 47-ton, 72-foot-long tied-arches serve as the main structural members and most prominent feature of the new bridge. Additionally, the new bridge is a wider two-lane structure and safe for modern-day traffic and truck weights.
Oregon Road Bridge
Oregon Road Bridge (SR 0722) over Lititz Run in Lancaster County was an integral part of the area’s history because of its proximity to Oregon Mill. Built in 1814, Oregon Mill is one of only two remaining grist mills in Manheim Township and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The existing structure consisted of two adjacent bridges needing replacement. PennDOT retained RETTEW to design the replacement structure, a context-sensitive solution consisting of a prestressed-concrete spread box-beam bridge with architectural surface treatments and concrete staining to mimic the stone on the mill.
While the design for the replacement structures was straightforward, the site posed several challenges because of the nearby presence of the Black-crowned Night Heron, a potential endangered species, and the American Shad, a local fish inhabiting Lititz Run. To preserve the Black-crowned Night Heron rookery and the American Shad, RETTEW performed stream preservation services, including the installation of grade-control structures in the stream.
About RETTEW
Established in 1969, RETTEW provides engineering, environmental consulting, transportation and surveying services. With more than 200 employees, RETTEW has offices located in Camp Hill, Chambersburg, Chester Springs, Lancaster, and Schuylkill Haven, Pa.; and Liberty and Margaretville, N.Y. For more information on any of RETTEW’s services, please call 1-800-RETTEW-5 or e-mail rettew@rettew.com.