AlumaBridge offers advanced aluminum bridge decking to solve bridge crisis in North America

AlumaBridge, LLC announces the availability of advanced design aluminum bridge decking to address the North American bridge crisis. To meet the goals for Accelerated Bridge Construction, AlumaBridge is building upon the latest technologies and proven designs to perfect aluminum bridge deck manufacturing and installation. Advancements include new state-of-the-art friction stir welding technology that is far superior to fabrication methods used on previous bridge deck projects.

In the U.S. an estimated 130,000 bridges are structurally deficient, functionally obsolete, or both. With today's escalating traffic volume, rapid deployment of prefabricated deck panels is more important than ever. An aluminum bridge deck was installed from crane to bearings in just 30 minutes for the Massachusetts DOT. A time-elapsed video capturing the installation process is available here.

AlumaBridge decking offers significant advantages over traditional concrete or steel. The strength of structural aluminum mirrors that of monolithic concrete but is only about 1/5 the weight. Since it weighs less than concrete or steel, aluminum decking permits roadways to be widened on obsolete bridges that are too narrow. Corrosion-resistant aluminum is also sustainable - unlike temporary bridges, once an aluminum deck is in place, it serves as a permanent structure.

According to Greg Osberg, AlumaBridge President & CEO, "Innovations in Accelerated Bridge Construction are critical if we are going to successfully rehabilitate North America's aging bridges. AlumaBridge aluminum bridge decking provides transportation officials with a rapid bridge rehabilitation tool that is more efficient, economical, and sustainable."

AlumaBridge produces two primary aluminum deck systems – an 8" deep bridge deck to replace concrete on structurally deficient bridges and a 5" deep deck alternative to steel grid decks. Newly designed end extrusions run along the edges of the deck and can be modified to accommodate various panel widths. These extrusions are also designed for guard rail connections.

AlumaBridge aluminum bridge decking (www.alumabridge.com) is the "green metal" that contains significant recycled content and is easily and profitably recycled. Of all aluminum extrusions produced since 1888, 75 percent are still in use!

AlumaBridge's current projects include a multi-panel 8" deep deck for the Ministry of Transportation – Quebec. The company is also working on 5" deep bridge decking as a replacement for steel open grid for the Florida Department of Transportation.

L. B. Foster Company has just been appointed as North American distributor for AlumaBridge deck products. This NASDAQ company was founded in 1902 and supplies fabricated bridge products as well as other infrastructure products worldwide.