In
1989, the powerful Loma Prieta earthquake collapsed a
section of the east span of the San Francisco-Oakland
Bay Bridge. The event prompted Caltrans to pursue a replacement
that would meet current seismic standards. Working closely
with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Caltrans
undertook an extensive design and public review process.
The resulting design was not only striking, but also uniquely
suited to the Bay's challenging geology.
Running from Yerba Buena Island to Oakland, the new structure
featured a self-anchored, single-tower suspension span
across the shipping channel, then transition to a graceful
skyway. Whereas the former bridge was double-decked, the
replacement featured side-by-side decks, affording drivers
panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline and the East
Bay hills. A 15.5-foot-wide bicycle and pedestrian path
runs along the eastbound deck of the 2-mile long structure.
With its tower that rises 525 feet above the water and
asymmetrical profile, the new bridge was destined to become
a distinctive landmark for the San Francisco Bay Area.
Ameron International Corporation’s (NYSE:AMN) Water
Transmission Group was awarded the contract totaling almost
$57 million to supply large diameter steel pilings for
the foundation of the new eastern section of the San Francisco/Oakland
Bay Bridge, the section that had collapsed during the
1989 San Francisco earthquake. The overall replacement
project which included seismic upgrades, new ramps, a
skyway and a new suspension bridge cost approximately
$2.6 billion. Caltrans awarded the primary contract to
KFM, a joint venture between Kiewit Pacific, FCI Construction
and Manson Construction.
The eastern section of the new bridge extends approximately
1.5 miles from Oakland to the new suspension tower. The
eastern section consists of side-by-side decks with five
lanes of traffic in each direction. The steel pilings
that Ameron produced consist of rolled steel sections
in eight-foot diameters using steel plate of up to three
inches thick. The pilings were as much as 365 feet in
length. Manufacturing of the steel sections took place
at Ameron's heavy steel fabrication plant in Fontana,
one
|
of
the few facilities in the Western U.S.
capable of fabricating steel casings of these diameters
and thicknesses. "This contract illustrates Ameron's
extensive technical and manufacturing capabilities.
It is an excellent example of our stated strategy to
grow and to diversify the Company into new products
and markets," said James S. Marlen, Ameron Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer.
We can stack our 30,000
sq ft indoor warehouse up to 28’ high. The DLS
facility has four rail spurs, and plenty of open space
and equipment to serve the transloading
needs of our customers.
During this project, Ameron Steel depended on Dalton Logistical
Services to warehouse and transload steel for the Bay
Bridge project. Over a million pounds of Ameron steel
was stored at the DLS facility at one point. When it was
time for shipment, the steel bars were loaded onto railcars
destined for Northern California. There the steel bars
were integrated into the special design pilings for the
Bay Bride.
Because of DLS’s
rail transloading facility, and warehouse, this project
was a perfect match for Dalton Logistic Services and Ameron.
If your company has a need to have material stored, railed
or trucked, call our DLS Division Manager, Josh
Klenske or Del
Britton at 909-823-0663. |
