The Galena Creek Bridge is a twin-span concrete arch bridge in Washoe County, Nevada. The bridge carries Interstate 580 and U.S. Route 395 over the Galena Creek[3] between Carson City and Reno. It was opened to traffic in late August 2012.[4]

Galena Creek Bridge
Coordinates39°20′56″N 119°47′29″W / 39.348826°N 119.791263°W / 39.348826; -119.791263
Carries I-580 / US 395
CrossesGalena Creek
LocaleWashoe County, Nevada, U.S.
Maintained byNevada Department of Transportation (NDOT)
Characteristics
DesignCathedral arch
MaterialReinforced concrete
Total length1,725 feet (526 m)[1]
Height295 feet (90 m)[2]
Longest span689 feet (210 m)[1]
No. of spans7
History
Constructed byC.C. Myers, Inc.
Construction start2003
Construction endAugust 20, 2012
OpenedSouthbound lanes: August 24, 2012
Northbound lanes: August 27, 2012
Location
Map

The bridge has a total length of 1,725 feet (526 m) and a main span length of 689 feet (210 m).[1] The height is 295 feet (90 m).[2] The bridge is reportedly the largest cathedral arch bridge in the world; that is a type of open-spandrel deck arch bridge where the arch supports the deck only at the center.[1]

Construction was started in 2003 but was delayed by a number of safety concerns and other issues. In 2006, the original prime contractor found the planned construction method unsafe; the method was revised and a new contractor hired.[4][1] In 2010, several long superficial cracks were found.[5] On July 28, 2012, the Nevada Department of Transportation held a community event for pedestrian, bicycle, and limited motor vehicle traffic to see the bridge prior to it opening for traffic; the bridge and freeway project opened in late August 2012.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Durski, Brad F. (Winter 2010). "Nevada's Galena Creek Bridge" (PDF). Aspire. Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 16, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "I-580 Freeway Extension Project - Bridge Quick Facts" (PDF). freewayextension.com. Nevada Department of Transportation. Summer 2009. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 14, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  3. ^ "Galena Creek". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  4. ^ a b DeLong, Jeff (May 29, 2012). "Last big push on Galena Creek Bridge will finish Reno-Carson freeway". Reno Gazette-Journal. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  5. ^ Delong, Jeff (March 23, 2010). "Bridge Cracks Will Cost State". Reno Gazette-Journal. pp. A1.
  6. ^ "Bridge Openning". I-580 Freeway Extendion Project. Nevada Department of Transportation. Summer 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
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