NDOT 3935 Fernley Bridges

This NDOT project in Fernley, NV, along Interstate 80, was the final phase in a series of bridge seismic retrofits. It involved upgrades to eight bridges—four westbound and four eastbound—identified as I-700, I-717, H-844, and I-740.
The project was unique for its multi-method seismic retrofit approach. Design elements included steel shells for column reinforcement, cast-in-place concrete for substructure strengthening, composite fiberglass wraps, and fiber wrap applications. Most projects typically use one method, but this one integrated several to meet specific structural needs and ensure I-80 remains a vital economic corridor during a seismic event.
A major milestone was the use of Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) on the I-717 structure—the first time UHPC was used in a completed project in Nevada. To allow for this, full traffic crossovers were constructed, temporarily shifting traffic to one side of the freeway during work. Other bridges required pier cap extensions and post-tensioning as part of seismic restraining upgrades. The team also encountered unforeseen utility conflicts, including one at a bridge footing that delayed work on an underpass. Despite these challenges, Q&D and NDOT restored the interstate to its original configuration within one season.
The success of the project was supported by a collaborative, partnered approach from the outset. NDOT and Jacobs welcomed contractor input throughout design and construction, enabling fast, flexible responses to field conditions and maintaining safety and efficiency.