Contractor wins $70m Yellowstone River bridge deal in thermally active zone

The 60-year-old existing Yellowstone River bridge will be replaced as part of the project (Image: FHWA)

Ralph L Wadsworth Construction Company has won a $70 million design and build contract to construction a new Yellowstone River Bridge.

The project, funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), involves replacing an existing 60-year-old bridge on a new mile-long realignment of the northeast entrance road in Yellowstone National Park.

The company, a division of Sterling Infrastructure, starts construction of the one-quarter-mile-long bridge this month. It will stand 175ft (53m) tall and will have decking, sidewalks and a railing.

It will run through a hydrothermally and geothermally active zone and will require specialised cement and thermal monitoring of below-grade concrete curing.

The work will also involve the construction of multiple temporary bridges for construction access over streams and environmentally sensitive areas.

Work is due for completion in 2026.

Joe Cutillo, CEO of Delaware-based Sterling Infrastructure, said, “We are proud to have been awarded this project, which will serve to modernize one of the country’s national treasures while minimizing environmental impacts and disruption to visitors.

“The Yellowstone project is reflective of the continuing shift in our Transportation Solutions segment toward sophisticated design-build work and away from low bid heavy highway work.”