11th Street Bridges
Challenges Solved
The 11th Street Bridges in southeastern Washington, DC form a vital link across the Anacostia River. The three new bridges replaced two structurally obsolete bridges. At the time, it was the largest highway construction project in the city’s history.
Serving as the "Design-Build" team's geotechnical engineer, MRCE designed 66 inch diameter concrete cylinder piles for river piers with large vertical and lateral loads, and economic H-piles at land piers.
MRCE designed ground improvement to stabilize soft compressible river deposits to support the earth fill bridge approaches. Ground improvement methods included surcharge loading with vertical drains, and rigid inclusion piles. Lightweight foam concrete was used to reduce loads.