Talmadge Memorial Bridge Major Maintenance — Savannah, GA
Client
- Georgia Department of Transportation
Project Value 
N/A
Market
Bridge, Transportation
Services
Design
Parsons is the designer of record for this construction manager/general contractor project (CM/GC) to perform major maintenance to the US 17/SR 404 Spur cable-stayed bridge (also known as the Talmadge Memorial Bridge) over the Savannah River.
A First-of-its-Kind Structural Modification
The project involves replacing the existing cables, bridge bearings, and joints of the cable-stayed bridge as part of planned major maintenance. The new stay cables allow raising the bridge profile by as much as 20 feet. They also make associated necessary structural modifications over the shipping channel possible. This significant modification to the profile of a cable-stayed bridge has never been done before.
Extending Bridge Service Life
These improvements provide more efficient access for larger ships navigating beneath the bridge to access the Port of Savannah’s terminals upriver from the bridge. They also extend the useful service life of the bridge.
The Port of Savannah is the nation’s fastest growing port, generating significant economic benefits for the Savannah region and the State of Georgia.
Scope Of Services
Our scope of services includes concept development, preliminary and final design, and design support during construction.
Rehabilitation Of The Talmadge Memorial Bridge
The bridge is a 1,100-foot cable-stayed span with concrete edge girders and was completed in 1991. The Talmadge Memorial bridge is located just downstream of the Port of Savannah and has a 185-foot vertical clearance. The current project involves rehabilitation of the bridge. This will extend the service life by replacing the cable stays and raising the bridge by approximately 20 feet. This change over the navigation channel allows larger ships into the port. While the Georgia Department of Transportation plans to replace the bridge with either a much higher structure or a tunnel in the future, this planned rehabilitation will accommodate larger ships as they navigate to the Port of Savannah’s terminals upriver from the bridge. It will also extend the useful service life of the bridge.
Innovating For Wind And Cable Performance
The change in the bridge profile will be done only over the cable-supported portion by shortening the cables. Therefore, replacement of the cables is a first critical step, as the existing cables are grouted and cannot be shortened. The raising is anticipated to be performed by incrementally shortening each cable in sequence. This will minimize flexural demands on the edge girders and cable force demands. The change in profile necessitates several additional changes. These include new supports for the bearings at the tower and anchor pier. It also includes replacement of tie-downs at the anchor piers and rebuilding of lateral restraints. The bridge is also undergoing modifications to enhance wind performance. This includes the addition of a baffle on the main span and dampers/lockup devices between the tower and superstructure.
