Michael Baker’s design work on the US 70 Bridge over Gallants Channel was recognized by ACEC North Carolina with a 2019 Grand Award.
The U.S. 70 Bridge over Gallants Channel replaces the structurally deficient Grayden Paul bascule bridge. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) engaged Michael Baker to design the replacement structure.
The design of the new Gallants Channel Bridge posed several challenges, requiring the analysis of multiple substructure and foundation configurations to best accommodate vessel traffic on the channel, meet external loading conditions and provide the most cost-efficient span arrangement. Our team designed a 3,400-foot-long fixed-span bridge to carry the four-lane divided highway over the channel. The new bridge significantly reduces travel delays and increases capacity of U.S. 70 through the town of Beaufort.