Structure having an insulated support assembly

A method for building a structure for supporting a road along a road axis over an underpass space spanned by the structure, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a plurality of beams on a pair of spatially disposed footings such that the beams are spatially disposed in a direction transverse to the road axis and traverse an underpass space in a direction substantially parallel to the road axis, the beams being substantially parallel to each other;
• attaching an inner shell to the plurality of beams;
• positioning an insulating material between the beams whereby the insulating material is disposed adjacent to the inner shell attached to the beams;
• forming an outer shell over the beams and insulating material whereby the beams and insulating material define a part of a form utilized in creating the outer shell;
• positioning a fluid impermeable material about the outer shell so as to provide a fluid impermeable barrier about the outer shell;
• and
• positioning a fill material on top of the fluid impermeable material.

A structure for supporting a road along a road axis over an underpass space spanned by the structure, comprising:

• two footings underlying the road with each footing being securely mounted to the earth, each footing being spaced apart in a direction substantially parallel to the road axis;
• a support assembly supported by the footings, the support assembly extending at least the width of the road and traversing the underpass space for supporting the road across the underpass space spanned by the structure, the support assembly comprising:
• a plurality of rigid beams, each beam having a first and supported by one of the footings, and a second and supported by the other footing, the beams being spatially disposed in a direction transverse to the road axis and having a longitudinal axis extending in a direction substantially parallel to the road axis, the beams being substantially parallel to each other;
• an insulating material positioned between the beams for thermally isolating the road and the support assembly from the underpass space and substantially preventing the transfer of heat there through;
• and
• an outer shell being positioned above the beams and the insulating material;
• a pair of sidewalls extending parallel to the road axis on either side of the outer shell, the sidewalls being provided with an inner insulating layer to prevent heat from migrating through the sidewalls, and an outer resilient casing encasing the inner insulating layer;
• respective insulating materials positioned at the junctions of the respective sidewalls and the outer shell;
• a substantially fluid impermeable material substantially encasing the support assembly;
• a fill material extending from the substantially fluid impermeable material to support the road whereby the fill material is insulated and stores heat to substantially prevent the inadvertent icing over of the road.