Driscoll Bridge

Serving over 240,000 vehicles per weekday, the Alfred E. Driscoll over the Raritan River is one the busiest commuter links in the U.S.

The bridge was built in 1954 and was expanded to accommodate increasing traffic in 1972, but was due for another overhaul in the early 2000s because of increasing traffic demands and general wear and tear. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority planned to renovate this bridge (#127.2) to significantly increase its carrying capacity.

Conti rehabilitated the 4,000 foot long bridge with 15 lanes, making it the widest bridge in the U.S. The team completed demolition, removal, and reconstruction of two parallel bridge deck superstructures each 65 feet wide. Conti realigned the approaches, relocated utilities, performed steel rehabilitation, replaced bridge bearings and steel bolsters, and installed roadway lighting and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) facilities. Bridge renovations were completed without disruption to traffic in any lane.

To combat the potential danger of deck demolition and steel repair debris falling into the river, Conti designed and fabricated an innovative Catch System (patent pending). As an extra advantage, this system provided the workforce with a weight-bearing platform. In addition, the project required extensive concrete pours, so Conti reached out to Rutgers University engineers to design a special concrete mix for the project. The result was High Performance Concrete (HPC), which is more durable and longer lasting than typical concrete.

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Conti implemented a “Catch System” to allow safe work under the bridge without having to perform marine work, the first time this technique had ever been used.