August 2024
Walsh Construction achieves major milestone with McKinley Street bridge move
Corona, California – Walsh Construction has achieved a major milestone at The McKinley Street Grade Separation Project with the successful offline construction and installation of the new McKinley Street Bridge over BNSF railroad tracks and the Arlington Channel. The new bridge, which incorporates 2.4 million pounds of steel and bridge components was safely transported and positioned by Oxbo Mega Transport Solutions using self-propelled modular transporters, hydraulic climbing jacks, lashings, and a slide track system.
Ahead of the move, the bridge had been erected in segments at a staging area adjacent to the installation site. Heavy lifts included several 105-foot-long knuckle-to-tie girder assemblies and 110-foot-long arches reaching 56 feet above deck level. All lifts were accomplished using a 220-ton Manitowoc 2250 crawler crane.
The bridge itself is a basket arch design tied and tensioned by cable hangers, which require multiple stressing sequences to ensure structural stability. The first stressing sequence took place before the bridge was moved to its final location, with a second sequence occurring after it is in place. The bridge spans 294 feet with a width of 91 feet and is a critical component of the project’s overall objective to improve traffic flow and safety where McKinley Street intersects with a busy railway line, a canal, and another road, all at ground level.
Walsh Construction has been working on the McKinley Street Grade Separation Project since early 2022, which connects the SR-91 interchange on the north side to Magnolia Avenue on the south side. The project aims to provide a grade separation solution that will alleviate traffic congestion, enhance mobility, and improve air quality and noise levels in the area.
The complex nature of this project stems from its location within a very tight footprint and its proximity to numerous private properties. Additionally, significant grade changes are required as the roadway is elevated to tie into existing grades over 1,900 feet long. Walsh Construction raised the driving surface of McKinley Street to a height of 30 feet at its highest point, using approximately 65,000 cubic yards of lightweight cellular concrete fill, as well as embankment of 10,000 cubic yards of native fill.
Beyond the bridge, the McKinley Street Grade Separation Project also involves several other components to enhance traffic flow and connectivity in the area. A new loop road will be constructed across from the SR-91 eastbound exit ramps to connect McKinley Street to Sampson Avenue. Additionally, MSE and Type 5 Caltrans walls will be constructed, and the project will add 3.75 miles of vehicle lanes and five signalized intersections.
Another critical aspect of the project involves relocating existing water, sewage, and drainage infrastructure to accommodate the new grade separation. This includes replacing 770 linear feet of aging water pipeline along McKinley Street, installing new fire hydrants and service connections, and constructing a new siphon structure to manage sewage flow.
