Project Overview
The Mile Long Bridge carries Interstate 294 traffic across the BNSF rail yards and the Des Plaines River in southwest Chicago, Illinois. The iconic bridge was rebuilt from 2019-2023 so it could continue to support its average traffic load of 150,000 vehicles per day while reducing its impact to the waterways and railroad operations below.
The Challenge
The high visibility and stringent regulation of the Mile Long Bridge project meant that mass concrete pours had to be inch-perfect. The project called for some 70,000 cubic yards of concrete, and on that scale any delays would be crippling. With summertime temperatures soaring and dense regional traffic causing long transit times, concrete was at risk of arriving at temperatures above the 70°F threshold for point-of-placement.
The Solution: NITROcrete
After concrete loads left the plant at 65°F, NITROcrete’s liquid nitrogen-powered concrete cooling technology kept concrete temperatures stable even amid high daytime temperatures and extended transit times. All loads met or fell below the 70° threshold at point of placement.
Results:
NITROcrete’s consistent temperature control solutions ensured timely placement and helped avoid costly delays for a heavily regulated and tightly scrutinized project that was rife with opportunities for setbacks and environmental obstacles. The new Mile Long Bridge opened to traffic on schedule in October 2022.
About NITROcrete™
NITROcrete is the world leader in concrete temperature control. In 2012, what started as a jobsite problem for a partner evolved into a solution that is revolutionizing the concrete industry. The team listened, tested, developed prototypes, and made adjustments. Then they listened more, tested more, and in 2017, after 5 years of R&D, they introduced NITROcrete, a comprehensive concrete solution born directly out of the concrete industry.
The largest concrete companies in the world now use NITROcrete to simplify their processes, streamline their operations, and grow their bottom lines. NITROcrete provides a comprehensive concrete solution–cooling, system management, and support–which gives its worldwide industry partners unmatched efficiency, control, and peace of mind. Learn more or reach a sales rep today!