22 | ASPIRE
,
Fall 2007
The Monroe Street Bridge in downtown
Spokane, Wash., has provided a critical
north-south traffic link within the
city since 1911. At almost a century
old, the bridge was near the end of
its useful life when a rehabilitation
project was launched in 2001. The
project posed a number of significant
challenges due to historic preservation
requirements, environmental concerns,
and the functional aspects of replacing
a bridge that spans a 136-ft-deep river
gorge. The project designers used a
combination of precast and cast-in-place
concrete components to meet these
requirements.
The existing design featured a three-span
concrete arch structure with reinforced
concrete approaches. The total length
is 896 ft with a main river span of 281
ft and two side spans of 120 ft. Four
original pavilions over the sidewalks at
the main piers projected into the travel
lanes and had been damaged repeatedly
by vehicle impacts.
profile
Monroe Street Bridge / SPoKAnE, wASHInGton
EnginEEr: david Evans and Associates, Inc., Salem, ore., and Spokane, wash.
PrimE COntraCtOr: wildish Standard Paving, Eugene, ore.
Cast-in-PlaCE COnCrEtE suPPliEr: Central Pre-mix Concrete Co., Spokane, wash.
AwArds:
2003 Honor Award, Historic Preservation, American Planning Association, washington Chapter; 2006 Gold
Award for Engineering Excellence, American Council of Engineering Companies, washington; and 2006 PCI design Award,
Best Rehabilitated Bridge
Concrete Components Recreate
Historic Design
by Leora Casey, David Evans and Associates, Inc.
The replicated railings were created
with precast concrete and connected
with cast-in-place concrete posts.
10802_Aspire_Fall07.indb 22 8/30/07 3:00:16 PM
