On Feb. 17, OCTA achieved a major milestone in the construction of the Orangethorpe Bridge with the completion of the deck pour, the process of applying concrete to an underlying girder reinforced by piles driven deep into the ground.
In the morning, the first of 130 cement trucks began arriving to apply a total of 1300 cubic feet of concrete to the bridge, which will allow vehicles to pass over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks and avoid delays and traffic hassles.
A machine called a Bid-Well applied the concrete in a smooth, continuous pour to create a uniform surface with the desired density.
Part of the OC Bridges program that will improve traffic flow and safety by building underpasses and overpasses to separate roadway traffic from trains, the Orangethorpe Bridge is expected to be completed later this year.
