VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — Skanska, in a joint venture with Corman Kokosing Construction Company and McLean Contracting Company, has completed the final phase of the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial/Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge (Nice/Middleton Bridge) project for the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA). This milestone was achieved with the demolition of the original bridge and enhancement of artificial fish reefs from the deconstructed bridge materials.
“We were proud to partner with the Maryland Transportation Authority on the Nice/Middleton Bridge project,” said Brook Brookshire, Senior Vice President of Operations, Skanska USA Civil. “We take great satisfaction knowing the significant and positive impact the new bridge is having on regional mobility and that the innovative reuse of demolition materials will support both the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay’s marine wildlife ecosystem.”
During the final phase, the joint venture demolished the old bridge and repurposed 12 barge loads totaling 16,030 tons of concrete to enhance artificial fish reefs in both the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. The team executed a careful and controlled demolition process, combining mechanical and controlled blast demolition techniques, including the following:
- Workers cut and removed concrete deck sections individually, lifting them off in segments.
- The team used strategic explosive charges to drop large steel truss sections into the water, which were then crane-lifted and transported for recycling, minimizing environmental impact.
- Foundation removal used controlled explosives to "rubblize" the structure, allowing debris removal via crane-mounted clamshell bucket instead of underwater hammering, expediting the demolition schedule.
The enhancement of artificial fish reefs provided mitigation for some of the project’s environmental impacts. Artificial reefs enhance marine habitats, providing shelter for various species, including striped bass, bluefish, and oysters. Strategically placed artificial reefs offer protection against the impacts of storms and tides and can protect aquatic vegetation and waterfront communities from the effects of waves, floods, and tides.
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Construction on the project commenced in March 2020, with the new Nice/Middleton Bridge opening in October of 2022. The new bridge offers four 12-foot-wide lanes, 2-foot shoulders, and a 42-inch-high concrete median barrier, resulting in increased capacity and improved safety. The team completed this second phase of the job, the demolition of the original bridge and enhancement of artificial fish reefs, on budget and ahead of schedule.
