Morabito Consultants provided structural engineering services for the demolition of the historic Phoenix Road Bridge, a six-span steel deck truss bridge originally constructed in 1922 over Gunpowder Falls. Following the discovery of significant deterioration in the bridge’s floor beam system during routine inspections, the structure had been restricted to single-lane traffic operations. Morabito Consultants was engaged by Gray & Son Contractors to evaluate the bridge’s remaining structural capacity and develop engineering procedures for the safe demolition of the deteriorated structure.

The project required detailed structural analysis of the existing truss system and floor framing to verify that demolition equipment and overweight construction machinery could safely operate on the aging bridge during removal operations. Morabito Consultants reviewed available bridge inspection reports, analyzed construction loading from excavators, haul vehicles, and lifting operations, and developed demolition sequencing procedures that accounted for the bridge’s deteriorated condition. Structural calculations were performed to verify equipment loads, evaluate truss stability during staged removal, and determine temporary reinforcement requirements for severely deteriorated floor beams.

Engineering services included preparation of demolition sequencing plans, temporary support and bracing details, equipment placement criteria, lifting analyses, load-rating evaluations, and construction-phase consultation. The demolition strategy incorporated temporary supplemental steel framing, staged deck and truss removal procedures, and detailed guidance for maintaining structural stability throughout the demolition process. Through comprehensive analysis and coordination with the contractor, Morabito Consultants helped facilitate the safe removal of the bridge while minimizing risk to workers, equipment, and the surrounding environment.