ACBT’s Truck-mounted Hydra Platform provides access for bridge inspection crews.

WJE, Inc. investigating bolt failure in the 17th Bridge Fencing

When the decorative fencing on the south side of the 17th Street Bridge fell onto the northbound lanes of the I-85 and I-75 connector in Atlanta, Anderson Crane and Bridge Technologies, Inc. was there to help crews from WJE, Inc., the Penhall Company and the Georgia DOT with the inspection and repair of the damages. Our 43’ Hydra Platform provided a safe work space and access beneath the bridge for engineers to inspect the bridge for structural damage. Mark Moore of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. is heading up this project and I spoke with him Thursday night as our technician Doug Adams worked late into the night operating the platform.

According to reports, it is thought that the collapse of the fencing was caused by the failure of an anchor bolt, which ultimately caused a domino effect with the remaining fence supports. Mr. Moore explained that the crew from Penhall Company was using a concrete saw to pull out a plug of concrete around the bolt hole so that it could be taken back to WJE’s laboratory for testing to determine what caused the bolt to fail.
I took the opportunity to take a few pictures of our bridge inspection equipment on top of the bridge. I’ve been marketing for our company for a long time, but this was the first time I actually got to see one of our platforms in action. When I say that we will have your crews working in minutes, I am not exaggerating a bit. Doug positioned the HP43 truck next to the concrete wall and had the hydraulic platform raised and over the side of the bridge in less than three minutes. The crew then climbs down through an enclosed space onto the platform. The unit is designed to provide access alongside or beneath the bridge and in this case the bolt holes for the fencing were in the concrete barrier wall. The platform lifts, rotates and extends over the low barrier wall, and is then positioned parallel to the bridge fascia and brought in close so the crews could easily reach their target.

We can facilitate bridge inspections, repair, and rehabilitation and these units are perfect for installing fencing, lighting, railings or conduit alongside or beneath bridges. We carry 23’ to 66’ inspection platforms for rent nationwide and we will train your operators or provide one for you. Take a look at our website www.inspectabridge.com for more information on what we have to offer.

17th Street Bridge in Midtown Atlanta

How's that for service? Our operator Doug Adams holds a flashlight for the crew!

Doug Adams

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