SAFFO CONTRACTORS

Onslow Beach Bridge Jacksonville, NC

This project called for abrasive blasting and protective coating application to the Onslow Beach Bridge, a rotating hydraulic bridge located on Camp Lejeune Military Base near Jacksonville, NC. The bridge spans the Intracoastal Waterway and is the only method of access to the beach that contains facilities for marine tactical operations as well as military family beach access. The contract allowed 30 days for the completion of all work on the rotating portion of the bridge.

Project Overview

Saffo Contractors specializes in surface restoration and preservation, using industry leading techniques and superior engineering.

For this project, all steel surfaces on the 70,000 square foot rotating bridge and both approach spans were abrasive blasted to SSPC QP2 certifications of an SP10 blast using a six pod ADI steel grit recycling and blasting machine. The bridge then received three protective coatings: a zinc epoxy primer, an epoxy-polyamide intermediate, and a polyurethane topcoat.

Services Performed

The project presented several unique challenges. The bridge spanning Intracoastal Waterway required significant auxiliary work prior to addressing the steel infrastructure.

Saffo was responsible for replacing 50 bearing support plates on the approach spans and over 3,000 rivets on the rotating portion of the bridge with the Huckbolt system.

Saffo Contractors took meticulous care in adhering to all SSPC A1 containment, safety, and environmental guidelines, finishing the project on schedule with zero incidents.

Challenges

On the approach structures, Saffo replaced 50 bearing plates that were corroded due to possible asbestos tainting. Work required that the approach spans be hydraulically lifted in order remove the old plates and insert new

ones.

Auxiliary Work

Opposite angle of the approach span lifted via a hydraulic lift system.

Auxiliary Work

Considering the fact that the mechanized component of the bridge was entirely hydraulic, Saffo Contractors decided that all hydraulic lines underneath the bridge had to be covered and protected during the blasting and painting process. Utilizing 3/8”, 5/8”, & 1” rubber air line, all lines underneath the bridge were protected, in addition to all electrical lines and all of the motor components. In total, over 5,000 feet of line were covered through careful attention to detail.

Attention to Detail

All of the hydraulic lines on the bridge were carefully covered in their entirety with air line tubing. This process took over two weeks and 5,000 feet of

tubing, but was vital to the protection of the critical elements of the bridge to ensure the project finished on time without time lost to repairs.

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

Saffo Contractors maintains and trains employees in the operation of a wide variety of heavy equipment. Our employees receive certification in operation of forklifts, manlifts, and other similar heavy machinery prior to commencement of working.

Jobsite

Pictured here is one of our two industrial dust collectors, a machine capable of removing dust and airborne particulate matter in containments up to 24,000 square feet. Saffo Contractors employs

staff that are experienced in all operation and maintenance of such equipment.

Equipment

Pictured here is the ADI blasting and recycling system used on this project.

Steel Grit Blasting and Recycling System

The employees at Saffo Contractors built all specialized rigging and containment structures in our office.

Utilizing welded ¾” steel beams custom made to attach to the bridge, we were able to build a Type 1A containment to trap all grit, paint, and waste products.

Containment

Inside the containment, specially welded steel I-beams support tarpaulin structures to enclose the bridge.

Containment

Dehumidifying/Air-conditioning tubes (blue) and dust-collection system tubes (black) are pictured here entering the approach segment containment. Temperature, dew point, and

humidity conditions were kept constant throughout all blasting and painting operations in all containments. The approach structures leading up to the bridge were contained utilizing scaffolding walkboards and tarpaulin attached to the surface of the concrete using high

strength adhesive foam. The bridge saw military and civilian traffic of close to 500 vehicles per day.

Containment

The fully contained bridge locked into place for 30 days to complete all work.

Containment

The restored and protected steel beams

Finished Product

Contract Award: $2,288,870 Contract Days: 30 Completion: On Schedule Incidents: ZERO

Technical Specifications

SAFFO CONTRACTORS