In fast-growing energy regions, infrastructure projects rarely enjoy the luxury of time. Traffic volumes keep climbing, supply chains cannot pause, and construction activity itself must avoid becoming another bottleneck. That tension sits at the heart of the Interstate 20 widening project near Odessa, Texas, where a temporary but highly specialised bridge solution has quietly become one of the most consequential enablers of progress on the scheme.

Designed and supplied by Acrow, the modular steel bridge was created to solve a very specific logistical challenge faced by Sundt Construction. Rather than carrying public traffic, the structure supports a concrete conveyor system that allows materials to be transported safely and continuously across one of West Texas’s busiest highways. The result is not just a clever piece of engineering but a practical example of how modular infrastructure can shorten delivery schedules, reduce risk, and limit disruption on nationally important transport corridors.

Stretching from South Carolina to West Texas, Interstate 20 plays a critical role in east-west freight movement across the southern United States. In the Midland-Odessa region, its importance is amplified by the concentration of oil, gas, and associated industrial activity that depends on reliable road access. Heavy truck movements, workforce commuting, and time-sensitive logistics place sustained pressure on a route that was never designed for today’s volumes.

Years of congestion and safety concerns have pushed the corridor to the top of the regional improvement agenda. Under the oversight of Texas Department of Transportation, the widening project aims to increase capacity, improve interchange layouts, and enhance overall safety. Yet undertaking major construction on a live interstate brings its own risks, particularly when the movement of materials requires crossing active traffic lanes.

Concrete supply is often one of the most underestimated constraints on large road projects. Batch plants are typically located where land and access allow, not necessarily where placement occurs. On the I-20 project, Sundt Construction faced the task of transporting concrete from a batch plant on one side of the interstate to paving operations on the other, without relying on repeated truck crossings that would disrupt traffic and introduce additional safety hazards.

Closing lanes or diverting vehicles was neither desirable nor sustainable. The contractor needed a solution that would operate above live traffic, maintain a steady flow of material, and remain in place for the duration of the widening works. That requirement prompted the concept of an aerial conveyor bridge, an idea that demanded a bespoke structural response rather than an off-the-shelf crossing.

Acrow’s contribution was to translate Sundt Construction’s concept into a working structure. The resulting single-span modular steel bridge measures approximately 100 feet in length and 12 feet in width, dimensions driven by the conveyor system, operational clearances, and site constraints. Instead of traditional abutments, the bridge is supported on stilts, supplied as part of the contractor-designed substructure.

This approach allowed the structure to be positioned precisely where it was needed, without extensive earthworks or permanent foundations. The modular panels were assembled on site and lifted into place by crane, reducing installation time and limiting disruption to the highway below. A timber deck, furnished and installed by Sundt Construction, completed the working surface required to support both equipment and personnel.

Dan Schrager, Acrow’s Business Development Manager for the Southwest, said: “Acrow’s design team creates durable, custom solutions for its customers, even on highly specialized projects like this application. Recognizing the importance of I-20 in the Odessa-Midland area, Acrow’s modular steel bridge will help speed up the project completion and lower the amount of time that travelers have to deal with the inconvenience of vital roadway construction.”

Crucially, the bridge was engineered to accommodate the combined loads of the conveyor machinery, flowing concrete, and the crews responsible for operating and maintaining the system. That load case differs significantly from conventional vehicular bridges, underscoring the importance of tailored design rather than adaptation of standard highway specifications.

From a project delivery perspective, the value of the temporary bridge lies in what it removes from the construction equation. By enabling continuous conveyor-based concrete transfer, the structure eliminates the need for repeated truck movements across or along the interstate. That reduction translates directly into fewer conflict points between construction traffic and the travelling public.

Safety improvements extend to the workforce as well. Crews can focus on placement operations without the added risk of coordinating vehicle crossings in a high-speed environment. Over the lifespan of the project, those incremental safety gains accumulate, lowering exposure and helping the contractor maintain momentum on a demanding schedule.

There are also programme benefits that resonate with project owners and road users alike. Faster, more reliable concrete supply supports consistent progress on paving and structural elements, reducing the likelihood of delays that ripple through the wider construction sequence. In practical terms, that means the widened interstate can be delivered sooner, shortening the period of disruption for motorists and freight operators.

Temporary works rarely attract the same attention as permanent structures, yet they often determine whether complex projects succeed or stall. The I-20 conveyor bridge illustrates how modular infrastructure can function as a strategic asset rather than a stopgap measure. Designed for a service life of around two years, the structure aligns precisely with the construction programme, providing capacity when it is needed and avoiding unnecessary permanence.

Modular steel bridging has gained renewed relevance as infrastructure agencies seek to modernise ageing networks without extended closures. Globally, similar systems are being used to maintain access during bridge replacements, support emergency response after extreme weather events, and enable construction in constrained urban or industrial environments. The flexibility to deploy, adapt, and remove structures with minimal ground impact has become a compelling advantage.

One of the defining aspects of the Texas project is the degree of collaboration between designer and contractor. Rather than imposing a predefined solution, Acrow worked from Sundt Construction’s conceptual vision, adapting its panel bridge system to meet an unconventional requirement. That process highlights a broader shift in infrastructure delivery, where standard components are increasingly configured to support bespoke construction methods.

The bridge’s reliance on contractor-supplied substructures and site-specific approaches reflects the reality of modern project delivery. Design responsibility is often distributed across multiple parties, with success depending on clear interfaces and shared objectives. In this case, that collaboration produced a structure that fits seamlessly into the contractor’s workflow while meeting safety and performance expectations.

For transport authorities, the true measure of success lies in how well construction activity is shielded from the travelling public. Interstate 20’s role as a freight and commuter artery leaves little tolerance for prolonged disruption. Every avoided lane closure and every reduced interaction between construction vehicles and live traffic contributes to network resilience.

The conveyor bridge approach supports that objective by keeping material movements above the roadway, effectively separating construction logistics from public use. While the structure itself is temporary, the benefits it delivers are lasting, in the form of safer, higher-capacity infrastructure brought into service sooner than might otherwise be possible.

With more than seven decades of experience, Acrow operates in a segment of the infrastructure market that has become increasingly strategic. Modular steel bridges are now deployed for permanent, temporary, military, and emergency applications across more than 150 countries, responding to everything from planned upgrades to sudden disasters.

The Texas project sits comfortably within that international context. It demonstrates how modular systems, originally developed for rapid deployment and adaptability, can be repurposed to support sophisticated construction methodologies in mature infrastructure markets. As transport agencies worldwide grapple with ageing assets, climate pressures, and rising demand, such versatility is likely to become even more valuable.

The widening of Interstate 20 near Odessa is ultimately about long-term capacity, safety, and economic resilience. Yet its progress depends on short-term decisions that balance speed, safety, and practicality. The temporary modular bridge supplied by Acrow exemplifies how targeted engineering interventions can unlock productivity and protect both workers and road users.

While the structure will be dismantled once the project is complete, its impact will endure in the form of a modernised corridor that better serves the energy sector and the wider regional economy. In that sense, the bridge is less a temporary workaround and more a reminder that innovation in construction logistics can be just as important as the infrastructure being delivered.