TKA provided the SCDOT with the first-ever Value Engineering/Design-Build Project at SC 526 Mark Clark Expressway Bridge over US 17 & SC 7 in Charleston County in 1998. Their project experience has allowed TKA to bring their innovative ideas to DOT clients throughout the region. In addition to working with various state DOTs, TKA has also contracted with and performed work for local municipalities and private clients including developers, contractors, and other engineering firms. Because of their working relationships and design experience with over 45 heavy highway and bridge contractors, our engineers specialize in constructability, construction means and methods, and best value solutions for bridge projects.

TKA has been an industry leader by being the first to implement new and innovative ideas and construction methods of constructing bridges into the design process. TKA was the first design consultant to implement the following innovative, cost saving and time saving ideas on design-bid-build, design-build or value engineering projects:

•  First to use BT 72”, pre-stressed concrete bulb tee concrete beams in SC, US 601 over Wateree River DB project
• First to develop and use the modified, BT 74” pre-stressed concrete bulb tee beams to reach new lengths (154’) and to eliminate costly foundations, I-526 Mark Clark Expressway over US 17 & SC 7, Charleston, SC
• First consultant to design and use the Inverted “T”, pre-stressed concrete beam system in SC to reduce grade changes, reduce ROW required and to improve hydraulic flow, US 78/Blue House Swamp, Charleston, SC
• Developed the precast concrete “edgeform” on pre-stressed concrete Bulb Tee beams for overhang construction to accelerate schedule and deck pours, save construction costs and provide safer environment for the traveling public underneath and the bridge crews. This system eliminated the overhang formwork system for rapid construction
• Developed the standard in SC and first to use the 70’ long, pre-stressed concrete Hollow Cored Slab bridge spans to accelerate schedule and eliminate interior piers for small bridge replacements
• Developed the design and utilized permanent steel cross framing system with pre-stressed concrete beams on design-build projects to improve erection schedule, save time, improve safety, reduce cost and eliminate concrete diaphragm forming systems and pours. This design is now a standard in NC for DOT projects
• First to use pre-tensioning in the top flange of Type III AASHTO girders to extend span to a record 104’ in SC, Route SC 133 over Lake Hartwell, Pickens County
• First to design and implement precast concrete box beams for bridges in SC

By providing innovative ideas and cost saving methods, TKA is the only consultant to be involved on the winning DB teams to perform bridge design for the Statewide Multiple Bridge Replacement Programs in all three states: Virginia, South Carolina and Missouri