The Crofton Construction team is pleased to have completed the replacement of the City of Suffolk’s Old Mill Road Bridge. The existing bridge was built in 1955, constructed of wood, steel, and timber piles, and beyond its useful life. VDOT and the City of Suffolk determined that a complete replacement would be necessary. As prime contractor, Crofton performed the demolition and disposal of the current bridge, furnished and installed fourteen 16” square x 50’ long concrete piles, two 75’ long concrete test piles, cast-in-place two concrete abutments, placed 260 tons of rip-rap around new abutments, and installed 8 pre-cast concrete bridge deck panels that were 41’ long. Preparing the site for the new bridge consisted of tree and asphalt removal, excavation, and additional fill and bedding to raise the roadway, as well as new asphalt overlay for roadway. The narrow roadway and existing tree canopy made for a limited work area, so all foundation and sheet piles were driven from the south side of the bridge using a 200-ton crane with 150’ of boom. Cofferdams were used on both the north and south side of the bridge when driving the foundation piles and forming new concrete abutments. Bridge replacement is an important part of our nation’s infrastructure improvements and we are proud to play a role in that effort. Thanks to the Crofton team members who worked on this project and contributed to its success!
Safety First!
In August, a dive crew encountered an unexpected opportunity to put their safety training to use in route to Roanoke Rapids Dam to install a cofferdam. On the way to the boat ramp, they noticed a person laying on the edge of the road. It turned out to be an elderly man, unconscious and face down. Thankfully, the crew was able to wake him and help him get cleaned up. He was severely dehydrated, so they cooled him down with water and wet rags until an ambulance arrived. Our safety culture calls us to prioritize the safety of ALL with whom we come in contact, not just our fellow crew members. Congratulations to Mike Beasley, Robert Claxton, Ethan Stivers, and Kurtis Holguin for setting such a great example!
From the Archives
Juan Crofton stands next to a 1000-ton railway, designed and constructed by Crofton Diving Corporation in 1980, for Humphreys Railways in Weems, VA.
In Memoriam
In May, we lost a dear colleague and valued teammate, Tim Harris. Tim joined the Crofton team in 2011 as a CAD Manager and worked closely with our clients obtaining permits. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues who will miss him very much.
Crofton News: Above & Below
The latest newsletter is here!
Find out what we’ve been up to, above and below the waterline.