The Southgate Bridge is a new gateway into the heart of Cambridge, Ohio, enhancing safety, connectivity and aesthetics for the community. The project replaced an aging 1960s structure that was structurally deficient and costly to maintain. Located north of I-70 in eastern Ohio, the bridge now offers a safe, modern connection from the southern end of the city into downtown Cambridge.
Working with the Ohio Department of Transportation District 5, The Ruhlin Company and other key stakeholders, B&N delivered a cost-effective solution through the design-build process. The new 862-foot structure features a redundant four-girder system, improving future maintainability and eliminating fracture-critical elements. A curved hybrid steel girder design and innovative use of chromium reinforcing steel provide an efficient, durable, and corrosion-resistant solution.
To overcome tight site constraints, the team designed unique “home-plate”-shaped pier footings on drilled shafts, allowing for construction without disrupting or requiring the removal of the existing substructure footings. Modular joints and customized bearings further enhance performance and reduce maintenance needs.
In addition to its technical strengths, the bridge incorporates architectural lamp posts, decorative stone-textured fascia and an illuminated sidewalk, offering both function and visual appeal. Its alignment frames a clear view of the Guernsey County Courthouse, especially striking during the city’s holiday season Dickens Victorian Village displays.
Despite challenges including a limited road closure allowance, avoiding existing substructures, excessive rain during construction and more, the bridge was completed on time and opened to the public in June 2024. The result is a resilient, efficient and beautiful structure that the Cambridge community can be proud of.
Honors & Awards
The GUE-209-0856 Design-Build Bridge Replacement Project has received the following recognition:
- 2024 Association of Bridge Construction and Design (ABCD) “All Ohio” Outstanding Bridge Award — Medium Span category.