Ohio Dept of Transportation
Services Applied by VCS Engineering
Project Description
Ohio DOT District 7 maintains more than 1,400 bridges across western Ohio. By the early 2000s, many of these structures—especially older slab bridges on I-75—were experiencing recurring deterioration. Traditional patch repairs on abutments lasted only a few years before new damage appeared, creating an expensive and disruptive maintenance cycle.
In 2005, ODOT partnered with VCS Engineering on a pilot rehabilitation program designed to explore more durable solutions and reduce the frequency of repairs.
2023 ICRI Project Award of Merit and Award of Sustainability Winner
Longevity Category
Project Issue
The abutments were deteriorating due to corrosion triggered by leaking deck joints. Salt and moisture infiltrated the joints and reached the reinforcing steel, causing spalling and ongoing repair needs.
ODOT needed a strategy that could:
- Break the cycle of short-term patching.
- Extend the useful life of abutments in line with bridge decks.
- Improve long-term cost efficiency by reducing repeat interventions.
Project Solution
VCS Engineering supported ODOT in implementing a new abutment rehabilitation strategy that combined refacing with integrated corrosion protection. Rather than spot repairs, the approach rebuilt the abutment face and incorporated embedded corrosion-mitigation technology to help protect reinforcing steel from future deterioration.
Our role included:
- Advising on the durability strategy and overall repair approach.
- Supporting the integration of monitoring features to allow ODOT to track performance trends over time.
- Providing engineering oversight to help ensure a consistent and effective outcome.
Nearly two decades later, these rehabilitated abutments remain in service, demonstrating the long-term value of combining structural repairs with corrosion protection. The project has influenced how ODOT approaches similar challenges across the district.
Awards & Recognition
This project was honored with both an Award of Merit and an Award of Sustainability in the Longevity category at the 2023 International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) Project Awards. These awards recognize excellence in concrete repair and highlight the project’s innovative and sustainable approach to bridge preservation.
Want to learn more about the technical details and outcomes?
For a detailed technical case study, including methodology and long-term performance data, download the full project document below.