New bridge location will accommodate Sound Transit's Sounder Trains.

Tacoma - DBM Contractors Inc. recently completed the erection of a 120-ft. long, 260-ton steel girder bridge that completes a section of the Sounder Train route for Sound Transit here. The bridge erection and placement was part of a $9 million contract to complete a crucial section of track for Sound Transit.

To minimize the construction impacts on Portland Avenue, one of Tacoma's busiest roads, DBM assembled the bridge on a site adjacent to its final position.Once assembled, DBM utilized a hydraulic skid system that DBM designed for moving container cranes to launch the bridge over the roadway to mobile cranes positioned to move the bridge for final placement. The entire move was completed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and required the use of three mobile cranes to lift and set the bridge in place.

DBM worked with general contractor Stacy and Witbeck, Inc. of Portland, Ore. Fought & Company, Inc. of Tigard, Ore., fabricated the steel and the cranes were provided by Ness Cranes of Seattle. The 1.27 miles of track were completed on November 19th, 2003.