Client

Atlanta Department of Transportation

Location

Atlanta, GA

Services

Engineering, Utility Design, Coordination & Inspection

Accolades

2025 ACEC National Recognition Award

2025 ACEC Georgia State Award

2025 ASHE Georgia Section Project of the Year (under $30M)

 

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On December 20, 2023, the City of Atlanta’s Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) was forced to close the Cheshire Bridge Road bridge over the CSX railroad after a fire caused extensive damage. This marked the second road closure in two years, significantly disrupting commuters and businesses in the Lindridge-Martin Manor and Morningside-Lenox Park neighborhoods. As a critical corridor in Atlanta’s transportation network, Cheshire Bridge Road’s rapid restoration became an urgent priority. In response, the City of Atlanta enlisted the Gresham Smith-Platinum Geomatics joint venture team, along with C.W. Matthews, to quickly inspect, design, and repair the bridge. Through innovative design techniques and close coordination with key stakeholders—including CSX, the City of Atlanta, and six utility owners—the team successfully reopened the bridge on May 22, 2024, just five months later.

The completed bridge repair
A temporary support for a 12-inch watermain
A temporary support for a 12-inch watermain

The project overcame numerous challenges, including complex utility impacts and a constrained right-of-way. The repairs included designing three temporary supports for existing utilities to avoid relocation, overhead to underground conversion of power and telecom crossings, demolishing the damaged end span, and repairing the bridge substructure. A cast-in-place retaining wall was constructed to serve as a vertical abutment, complemented by a specialized exposed approach slab design and a new roadway that seamlessly integrated with the existing structure.

We’re proud of our work on this emergency bridge repair process. Gresham Smith’s work on the project exceeded our expectations and allowed us to reopen the bridge as quickly as possible. Solomon Caviness IV Commissioner, Atlanta Department of Transportation