Benicia-Martinez bridge wins award

Benicia-Martinez bridge wins award
Times-Herald staff report
Article Launched: 06/14/2008

The Interstate 680 Benicia-Martinez Bridge was recently recognized as a best-in-class transportation project from state and national transportation foundations, it was announced this week.

The American Road and Transportation Builders Association Development Foundation presented the project team with an honorable mention Globe Award in the bridge category.

These annual awards recognize private-sector firms and public-sector transportation agencies for outstanding work in protecting and/or enhancing the natural environment in the planning, design and construction of U.S. transportation infrastructure projects, according to a foundation statement.

Awards are judged by an independent panel of federal environmental specialists. The Benicia-Martinez Bridge project team was recognized for its efforts to minimize impacts on marine habitat during construction.

The Benicia-Martinez Bridge project team was also honored with the Project of the Year Award at the 19th annual TRANNY Awards, which recognize excellence in California transportation projects.

The joint venture designed the 1.6-mile bridge spanning the Carquinez Strait, and linking Solano and Contra Costa counties.

Opened in August, the 8,400-foot bridge provides traffic congestion relief to 100,000 vehicles daily, the foundation notes.

Designed a "lifeline" structure, the bridge will remain open to emergency traffic following a major earthquake. Unique design features include use of high-performance, light-weight concrete to reduce the structure's mass and seismic demand.