Gas Pipeline Suspension Bridge

Completed in 2012 by American Bridge, the Gas Pipeline Suspension Bridge project consisted of the replacement of the main and suspender cables, saddles, and anchorages on two gas pipeline suspension bridges near Houston, Texas. The Colorado River Bridge features a 550-foot (168 m) mainspan and 1,190-foot (363 m) total cable length, while the Brazos River Bridge includes a 750-foot (229 m) mainspan and a 1,416-foot (432 m) total cable length. Structural modifications to the towers and anchorages were required to accommodate the new cable system. The work involved transferring the load of the 30-inch (762 mm) natural gas pipeline to the new support system while it remained pressurized at 750–800 psi.

The Coosa River Bridge component of the project, located in Clanton, Alabama, involved overall maintenance and access improvements for a 700-foot (213 m) mainspan. Work included suspender adjustment to correct the bridge profile, installation of ladders and railings on towers, replacement of the handrail cable system, tightening and replacement of fittings and bolts, and geometry monitoring during pipeline hydro-testing.

Coosa River Bridge Phase II involved repainting two 30-inch high-pressure natural gas pipeline suspension bridges across the Coosa River, which remained fully pressurized and operational. The scope included paint removal, pipe cleaning, and repainting of the suspended pipelines and support floor beams. Portions of the existing coatings potentially contained lead. Temporary rigging supported the pipelines during disassembly of floor beam connections for cleaning and repainting.