Trench Drains Channel Bridge Water
When the Veterans Memorial Bridge, located in Cleveland, OH, recently received renovations, a drainage problem surfaced. During rainy weather, water would run from the surrounding pavement onto the bridge’s road surface, causing slipping hazards for both motorists and pedestrians. To solve the problem, trench drains were needed to run the length of the 3,112-ft.-long bridge. Previously known as the Detroit-Superior Bridge when it opened in 1917, the bridge was renamed as the Veterans Memorial Bridge on Veterans Day 1989. Constructed as the city’s first, high-level access crossing over the Cuyahoga River, the expansive bridge has remained a major thoroughfare for traveling from the city’s west side to the downtown area. Renovations called for installing a shallow invert system, due to depth restrictions of the bridge deck. To meet depth and drainage requirements, construction crews used SlabDrain H100 trench drains, made by ACO Polymer Products, Inc., based in Chardon, OH. SlabDrain H100 was selected because its overall depth measured just 4 ins. To enhance installation and connect easily with stormwater systems, each drain channel features customized side outlets, instead of traditional bottom drill-outs. A built-in sealant groove, cast into one end of each modular channel, allows workers to insert a bead of flexible sealant into the joint. For a crowning touch to the bridge project, plastic, ADA-compliant grates were installed over the trench drains to ensure pedestrian safety and enhance the overall appearance. SlabDrain comes in three versions, with depths ranging from about 3 to 4 ins. The body of each trench drain consists of polymer concrete, which boasts up to four times the strength of cement. Various grate materials, styles, and slot configurations are available. Besides lining bridges, the trench drains are ideal for parking decks, elevated slabs, and other infrastructure applications. ACO Polymer Products, Inc., Chardon, OH