Churchill High School Technology Majors Tour Whilamut Passage Bridge

The I-5 Willamette River Bridge project team hosted some special visitors at the construction site earlier this year: students in Churchill High School’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics program — STEM for short. As a scientist myself, I’m especially delighted to see young men and women show an interest in these areas – and to be supported in that interest.

Staff from OBEC Consulting Engineers, designer of the new Whilamut Passage Bridge, described the important architectural and engineering details of the arch-deck bridge and led the STEM class on a tour of the construction work.

It was a great day for viewing lots of on-site activities. Work was under way on two phases of box girder construction right next to some completed box girder spans.

Above, OBEC engineer Brad Larsen (right) shows students how the large paving machine behind them built the concrete deck for the new northbound bridge.

Standing on the vast work bridge just above water level, students listened as Larsen explained the design of the bridge arches and how they support the top deck and roadway.

The students learned how the bridge arches and spandrel columns were formed and poured in place to support the roadway deck.

The STEM program teachers agreed that their students really enjoyed seeing firsthand and up close how a large, complex construction project is designed and built.

Larsen plans to stay in touch with the STEM class and even offer them internships with OBEC throughout the year.

Maybe someday one of the STEM students will design bridges for ODOT, too.