Route 17/I-81 Interchange, Binghamton, New York

When I-81 in Binghamton, NY needed a bridge replacement, Sessler Wrecking was called upon by our great partners, Lancaster Development, to perform the extensive bridge removal process. Taking place during the summer of 2016 and the winter of 2016-17, this was one of our large projects in recent years. Sessler Wrecking removed 305,000 square feet of the double spanned, four lane bridge and on/off ramps, over NYS Rt-7, Broad Street, and the Norfolk Southern Railway line in Binghamton. We salvaged and recycled 6,500 gross tons of steel in total during this bridge removal. Part One of our project file features pictures of our extensive site work and demolition of the NYS Rt-7 on/off ramp bridges and the removal of the bridge deck and girders over the state route. Sessler’s fleet of equipment was extensive to complete this project in a safe and timely manner. Our Komsatsu was assisted by six excavators performing site work and bridge demolition from the deck of I-81. Our Sessler engineered pick frame helped remove pairs of bridge girders at a time, speeding up the removal process to keep the project moving forward. During the bridge removal over NYS Rt-7, we utilized our Sessler patented wing trailers and overhang brackets, which allows for traffic to flow smoothly and safely underneath while work is performed overhead.

The removal of this portion of I-81 proved to be a bit more challenging than others, as live electric lines were in place above the bridge span.  To safely remove the bridge girders underneath the electric lines, Sessler Wrecking utilized a tandem crane pick approach and our Sessler engineered pick frame.

Sessler Wrecking was tasked with removing the I-81 bridge over a Norfolk Southern Railway rail line. This area was truly a demolition engineering feat! To remove the bridge in a manner that would not disrupt rail service, the 260’ bridge girders were supported by 100,000lbs shoring towers provided by EFCO Corp.  We then cut the 10’ deep girders into 5 sections and safely removed them with a 350-ton crane