During the Summer of 2011 MassDOT embarked on an ambitious interstate bridge replacement project that has set the standard for highway infrastructure upgrades for years to come.
Acting as subcontractors under the direction of a joint venture with J.F. White Contracting Co. and Kiewit Construction, Testa Corp. Dismantling and Site Contractors completed each initial phase of 10 - 55 hour weekend closures from June 1, until August 20th, 2011 with just July 4th weekend off.

After redirecting traffic demolition commenced and continued for 10 hours to completely remove each bridge deck and all the structural steel from one (and sometimes two) 4 lane 3 tiered interstate highway bridges.

This was achieved through strength in numbers, brute force, expert operators, unparalleled project management and a level of sincere professionalism on all levels.
The key component here was that the renovated bridge piers and abutments AND their BRAND NEW bearings had to remain unscathed at the end of it the night.
So a traditional tear it all down and start over methodology would obviously never work.

Insert the engineering firms, the design firms, the technical know-how and expertise of JFWhite and Kiewit along with Testa's experience in highway bridge demolition and a formula was conceived to get the job done.
Not only did they get it right the first time, but to the tune of 14 bridges over 10 weekends, they did it ahead of schedule with no delays.

So, look through the video, except for a few time-lapse sequences it was all shot in real time at real speed and NOT slowed down at all.
Count the number of machines being used, the types of machines, the path they took, the systematic process they executed.
Then put it all into perspective, 4 lane Interstate Highway Bridges Northbound for 5 weekends, Southbound for 5 weekends, closed at 8 PM alongside continuous LIVE traffic.
Protect existing roadways and adjacent private and public lands.
Move all equipment to site prior and then breakdown equipment and move to next location the following week.
Interstate runs through densely packed residential neighborhoods, near senior housing and hotels with one crossing over the Mystic River.
Remove, process and haul out 6-8 inches thick of reinforced concrete deck and barrier shoulder wall.
Remove all structural steel on two back spans and the main span, shear and haul off site.
Do it all in 10 hours with no harm to new bearings or piers/abutments or expansion joints.

Why 10 hours? Because this road has to be fully functional with live 4 lane across traffic in just 45 short hours later with the new decks in-place,
concrete poured and cured and new lines painted by 5AM, Monday morning. (Sunday night).

Impossible you say? Not only did they do it over 10 weekends, but they wrecked and replaced 14 bridges without delay, no penalties, ahead of schedule each weekend.

Additionally, every weekend I promoted demolitionforum.com with my official ConExpo2011 T-Shirt on!!