This type of structure work is becoming more popular in N.America (have been doing longer in Europe). While the actual cost of this method is higher than traditional, some DOT's allow for a cost-benefit style analysis that makes this more appealing.
Essentially, the particular DOT might say that a given lane-mile of a given highway has a particular $-value per day. These are real costs (due to delays created, etc.) and assigned cost for benefit(s) lost to users.
If the engineer or contractor can then build using this technique showing that it will keep the highway open for X-number of lane-mile-days * $-value and offset the additional cost, then this method will likely be treated favourably.
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Member of the SSPIA Senior Committee. Have a question? Go pester Tony.
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