Innovative Bridge Pier Installation Using the Super Reach Attachment System: Insights from the design-build Jimmie Davis Bridge Replacement Project-Video

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The presentation covered foundation construction for the $360 million replacement of Louisiana’s Jimmy Davis Bridge over the Red River. The new four-lane bridge is being built beside the historic structure, which will remain for pedestrian and bicycle use. Contractor R.R. Cassidy is installing 45 drilled shafts across three river piers, working from barges. The shafts require custom drilling tools, polymer slurry, specialized casing and tight sequencing, including a 36-hour limit after excavation extends below the casing.<br /><br />Barge stability and restricted access ruled out a conventional fixed-mast rig. Instead, the team used a duty-cycle crane fitted with a Super Reach Attachment, which provided sufficient drilling reach while keeping the crane stable and stationary on a relatively small barge. Flooding and buried obstructions caused delays, but the team overcame them. The project highlights the value of careful planning, flexible equipment choices and collaboration among designers, contractors and manufacturers when working in challenging water environments.

Keywords

Jimmy Davis Bridge

drilled shafts

bridge foundation construction

duty-cycle crane

barges