Bridge and road construction and method of removing worn deck structure

Abstract

A reinforced precast construction includes a generally panel-shaped reinforced concrete structural unit having a relatively flat upper surface adapted to support vehicles thereon and opposing ends configured to be positioned in abutting end-to-end contact and in abutting side-to-side contact. One of the opposing ends includes a horizontally extending gasket so that, when abutted against an adjacent identical article in an elongated arrangement, the abutting opposing ends sealingly engage the seal. Connectors are attached to the structural unit in positions so that they align and are interconnectable with fasteners to hold the structural unit to an adjacent previously laid structural unit. In one form, the precast structural units are adapted to rest on parallel beams to form a bridge construction, and include locators for locating the precast structural units horizontally on the beams. In the bridge construction, various modules are provided that can be attached to the bridge construction to accommodate various needs, including integral and/or bolt-on modulars forming sidewalks, side rails, fascia, and warming passageways. Also, modules are provided for bridges having enlarged widths. In another form, precast articles are provided to construct a road. The articles are adapted to be positioned in adjacent rows in an alternating arrangement, such as to form a multilane highway. Each module includes depressions defined along its sides to create space for receiving laterally extending brackets in the adjacent row of precast structural units. Also, locator brackets are located proximate the ends of the article for engaging locators on adjacent structural units to align the adjacent abutting edges of the upper surface in the precast structural units.