Granite-led joint venture wins $131m contract to rehabilitate American River Bridge

Image: Granite Construction

A joint venture between US contractor Granite and California Engineering Contractors has won a $131 million deal to rehabilitate the American River Bridge in Sacramento, California.

The American River Bridge, on State Route 51, is a six-lane, multi-span bridge built in 1954 and widened in 1965.

American River Constructors (ARC) will construct the superstructure for the replacement of the existing bridge deck in three stages for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) under the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) format, which involves early contractor involvement.

The project also involves removing and replacing the existing steel girder post-tensioning systems in spans one and two, the widening of the shoulder to accommodate traffic during construction, and the construction of a bike path along the bridge that will connect existing bike trails.

In addition to replacing the bridge deck, the aim of the project is to protect the abutments and piers from scour.

American River Constructors have already undertaken a preconstruction services contract on the project since January 2021, and has also been involved in three child contracts totalling $70 million for access, clearing, steel piling and girder procurement, and bridge substructure construction.

George Delano, Granit project executive said the contractors aimed to have the girders for the bridge erected before Thanksgiving.