Bachy Balineau Antilles–French Guiana: Reconstruction of the Sainte-Claire Bridge in Goyave

Nearly one year after the collapse of the Sainte-Claire Bridge in Goyave, the Guadeloupe Departmental Council has initiated reconstruction works on this critical road link. The consortium composed of GTA, Bachy Balineau Antilles–French Guiana, and Baudin Châteauneuf has been selected to deliver the future structure.

In order to restore road continuity, the Departmental Council launched a call for tenders at the end of 2023 for the reconstruction of the structure.

Lot No. 1, awarded to the consortium, includes:
• earthworks,
• primary drainage works,
• full construction of the future bridge structure.

The planned bridge will have a 50-meter span and will be a composite quadri-girder structure.

The future structure will include:
• two traffic lanes,
• a greenway dedicated to soft mobility,
• a total width of 13 meters.

The deck will consist of a reinforced concrete slab supported by four welded built-up steel girders (PRS). This design limits the vertical profile of the structure while ensuring compliance with the new hydraulic clearance requirements.

Works carried out by Bachy Balineau Antilles Guyane

Given the soil conditions and the high risk of scour associated with the watercourse, Bachy Balineau Antilles–French Guiana is responsible for the construction of the deep foundations and retaining structures.

The works notably include:

• 16 steel piles
  o diameter: 1,200 mm
  o thickness: 22 mm
• 8 piles per abutment
  o depths ranging from 14 to 24 meters
  o installation by vibro-driving followed by impact driving to ensure anchorage into the bedrock
  o trimming of pile heads over 3 meters for the construction of reinforced concrete plugs
• 2 contiguous sheet pile walls of PU18 type
  o depth: 14.5 meters
  o retaining function and protection against scour

Along the riverbanks, passive steel tie rods will be installed to transfer loads through secondary sheet pile walls.