InEight Customer Project Spotlight
McFarland Blvd Arch Bridge and Single Point Urban Interchange
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States
The McFarland Boulevard Arch Bridge and Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) project improved traffic flow and safety along one of Tuscaloosa’s busiest corridors. The project features a 250-foot single-span suspended arch bridge crossing eight lanes of traffic, along with interchange reconfiguration, retaining walls, and new mixed-use paths. Architectural lighting highlights the bridge’s distinctive arch, creating a signature landmark within the corridor while supporting a broader $90 million interstate widening program.
Owner: Alabama DOT | Est Completion Date: 01/01/2025 | Project type: Transportation
More About This Project:
The McFarland Boulevard project was designed to modernise a high-volume urban interchange by introducing a Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) configuration, allowing traffic from multiple directions to move more efficiently through the corridor. Central to the project was the construction of a 250-foot suspended arch bridge spanning eight lanes of traffic while maintaining continuous interstate operations below.
Constructing the bridge required innovative sequencing and engineering solutions. The structure was erected in three phases using temporary supports, allowing crews to build the bridge components while traffic continued to flow beneath the work zone. Once the structure was assembled, the bridge was carefully lowered into its final configuration through a controlled jacking operation, transferring structural loads to the permanent support system.
A key design objective was creating an arch structure that appeared seamless with no visible connections, which required specially engineered temporary connections to maintain geometry and alignment during erection. Through close collaboration between engineers and constructors, Brasfield & Gorrie delivered both a highly functional transportation improvement and a visually striking gateway structure for the Alabama Department of Transportation and the greater Tuscaloosa community.
Supported by InEight:
Brasfield & Gorrie used InEight Estimate to support estimating and cost planning for the bridge and interchange project. The platform helped organise estimate data and evaluate construction approaches during project planning, supporting development of a structured estimate for the complex scope. Using InEight helped the team prepare for the project’s construction sequencing requirements.
InEight modules used: Estimate
