Project Snapshop
Project: US-101 Harbor Bridge Jacking
Location: San Rafael, California
Application: Temporary bridge lifting and bearing correction
Challenge: Lift and support the bridge during a limited overnight work window
Solution: 400-ton locknut jacks with on-site support
Result: Bridge work completed in approximately 6 hours
Myers & Sons Construction was performing emergency structural improvement work on US-101 at the Harbor Bridge near the 2nd Street interchange in San Rafael, California.
The bridge needed to be temporarily raised so crews could correct the bearing area and install steel shims beneath the structure. With traffic restrictions limiting the work to an overnight construction window, the lift had to be carefully coordinated and completed before the bridge could be returned to service.
The Challenge
The project required crews to temporarily lift and support the bridge while structural work was performed beneath it.
Myers & Sons spent the previous week constructing temporary falsework to safely support the jacking operation. Once traffic restrictions were in place, crews had only a limited overnight window to complete the lift, correct the bearing locations and return the structure to service.
Preparing the Bridge for Lifting
Before jacking began, the temporary falsework and support structure were positioned beneath the bridge to provide a stable foundation for the lift.
Crews then positioned the hydraulic jacks at the required lifting points and prepared the bearing locations for the overnight operation.
The CH Bull Solution
CH Bull Company supplied a 400-ton hydraulic jacking system consisting of four 100-ton locknut jacks for the project.
Stan Sheppard of CH Bull was also retained by Myers & Sons as the on-site jacking consultant, providing field support throughout the lifting operation.
The bridge was carefully raised to provide access to the bearing locations. Once positioned, the locknut jacks provided positive mechanical support while crews performed the required structural work beneath the bridge.
Overnight Bridge Jacking Operation
With traffic restrictions in place, the critical lifting work began during the overnight construction window.
The bridge was raised and securely supported while Myers & Sons corrected the bearing area and installed steel shims beneath the structure. At the same time, roadway work was performed above to restore the roadway profile and provide a smooth transition for traffic.
The coordinated operation allowed both the structural and roadway work to be completed within the available window.
Project Outcome
The bridge jacking operation and associated structural work were completed in approximately six hours, allowing the bridge to return to service following the overnight construction window.
CH Bull provided the hydraulic jacking equipment and on-site support needed to help Myers & Sons complete the work within the limited overnight construction window.
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