Over the River and Through the Woods

An efficient supply chain can make all the difference in constructing a bridge on schedule.

Those who cross bridges every day during their morning or evening commute — whether by foot, car, or train — might never give a thought to the construction of these colossal byways. Perhaps because we cross them without incident on a daily basis, we tend to overlook the careful planning, painstaking effort, and ingenuity needed to build these structures that connect us from Point A to Point B.

Let’s take a closer peek at all the moving parts required to erect these unshakeable infrastructural giants.

Managing Materials

Construction of a bridge can begin as soon its design is approved — but these massive structures require an immense amount of building material, so a well-coordinated supply chain is necessary to avoid any delays in the process. Some bridge construction plans may call for prefabricated materials like beams, while other projects may rely on completely new materials that are manufactured on site. If an older bridge needs to be torn down, builders might opt to salvage materials in order to save time and reduce construction costs.

In each of these scenarios, planners must carefully schedule the demolition of old structures, the arrival of new materials, and the fabrication of the new bridge to ensure that construction proceeds smoothly and the construction crew is not overburdened. A single materials-related miscalculation could completely upend construction, inconveniencing commuters by delaying the bridge’s completion.

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, for example, was constructed from 70,000 tons of steel, all of which needed to be carefully sourced before construction could begin. A single faulty beam could have caused the entire span to fail, resulting in heavy damages and crippling transportation throughout the San Francisco area. Thanks to some careful planning from its engineers, however, the bridge stands proudly over the Golden Gate strait more than eighty years after it was first constructed, requiring only routine maintenance over the decades.

Avoiding Delays & Close Coordination

Since delays can create additional costs for the contractor or taxpayers, it’s crucial that bridge-building timelines stay on track. Unfortunately, unexpected delays can derail even the most carefully planned projects. Construction of the Coplay-Northampton Bridge in Pennsylvania, for instance, was briefly halted after a truck transporting building materials “took a tight turn and tipped over.” Fortunately, the construction crews were able to repair the beam onsite, allowing construction to quickly resume.

Without close collaboration and constant communication between the contractor, suppliers, and logistics providers, these delays become all the more likely. Engineers, architects, and surveyors are involved in the bridge planning process, while skilled technicians and unskilled laborers are on the ground at the site of the bridge, operating cranes and moving materials into place. As construction continues, building site managers ensure the safety of workers and the quality of the building materials while addressing any sudden worksite challenges. As a result, even the construction of a simple bridge might be the product of hundreds of workers, all of whom need to be effectively managed and supervised. Suffice it to say, strong teamwork is essential.