Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge

TYLin, in a joint venture, provided design review and construction engineering, and inspection (CE&I) ervices for the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge (Cooper River Bridge)  design-build project in Charleston, South Carolina.  

The signature cable-stayed bridge across the Cooper River opened to traffic as the longest cable-stayed span in North America at the time. Designed to improve traffic safety and increase overall capacity, the bridge was completed one year ahead of schedule. 

The Cooper River Bridge measures 2.5 miles in total length and includes two major high-level interchanges on each end of the bridge. The bridge carries eight lanes of traffic, four in each direction, and a bicycle/pedestrian path.  

The 1,546-foot-long main span provides a 1,000-foot navigational channel, with a minimum vertical clearance of 186 feet above the Cooper River. To further ease the passage of large ships, the deck at midspan rises just over 200 feet above the water. 

The 574-foot-tall, diamond-shaped concrete towers are protected from ship collisions by an innovative rock island surrounding the base of each tower. 

The success of the project was due to the committed, collaborative team effort put forth by the Owner, Design-Builder, and the community at large. 

Project Highlights: 

• TYLin provided over 80% of the professional services related to the cable-stayed bridge.  
• TYLin’s design review included structure, civil, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering; vessel impact, wind, hydraulics and hydrology, and geotechnical analysis; construction engineering; operation and maintenance; environmental impact; community outreach; and bridge aesthetics. 
• The CE&I services included quality assurance inspection and tests for piles, concrete, steel, reinforcing and post-tensioning steel, stay cables, erection geometry and stress control, major temporary structures, and other items such as bearings and expansion joints. 
• The main cable-stayed bridge is founded on 10-foot-diameter drilled shafts (typical length of 200 feet) with 10-foot, 6-inch-diameter steel casings. 

Image credit: Streano/Havens Photography