Retrofit

Many bridge rails installed before current MASH testing standards do not meet today's performance requirements. Road Safety Systems performs bridge rail retrofit and upgrade work that strengthens existing rail systems for agencies across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland — including bridge railing work on Delaware bridge projects.

Retrofit Scope

Retrofit work can include concrete parapet height increases, steel rail additions to existing concrete parapets, anchor bolt upgrades, and reinforcement of existing rail-to-deck connections. Retrofit projects require careful structural analysis to avoid overloading the bridge deck, so we work closely with the bridge structural engineer of record throughout design and construction.

When Retrofit Is Needed

Bridge rails may need upgrading when they no longer meet current crash testing standards, when they have sustained damage, or when the bridge is being rehabilitated or widened as part of a larger project. State bridge inspection programs frequently identify rails that fall short of current performance standards, and retrofit is typically bid as part of the broader bridge rehabilitation scope.

Coordination and Documentation

As with new bridge rail installation, retrofit work requires close coordination with the general contractor and structural engineer, precise field verification of existing conditions, and complete as-built documentation for agency acceptance.

Field Verification Before Retrofit Design Is Finalized

Existing bridge rail and parapet conditions are rarely identical to what original as-built drawings show after years of service, weathering, and prior repair work. Before retrofit installation begins, we verify existing parapet dimensions, reinforcing locations where accessible, and anchor bolt patterns in the field, feeding that information back to the structural engineer so the retrofit design accounts for actual field conditions rather than assumed ones. This step reduces the chance of conflicts discovered mid-installation, when they are far more costly to resolve.

Phasing Retrofit Work Around Traffic

Bridge rail retrofit work is almost always performed on a structure that stays open to traffic, at least on one side, throughout construction. We sequence retrofit installation with the project's traffic control plan and any lane closures required for the work, coordinating closely with the general contractor to keep the schedule on track without compromising work zone safety for our crews or the traveling public.