The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) hired Batterman to oversee the reconstruction of the Turtle Creek Bridge, a project to expand the bridge’s width and increase its weight capacity. During construction, crews encountered unexpected bedrock. To address the issue and complete the project, additional pre-boring work was completed promptly.
Project Scope
The existing structure was a single-span, single-lane steel bridge built in 1910, spanning Turtle Creek in the Town of Turtle, Rock County, WI. This project replaced the existing structure with a three-span slab structure, including a superelevated horizontal curve driving surface. This project improved sight distances in the area, widened the roadway for two-way travel, and increased the crossing’s weight capacity. A vital crossing for the local farming community, emergency responders, and residents, this project is essential to this rural part of Rock County, Wisconsin. It also included relocating the existing historic bridge to an off-site location in coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the Wisconsin Historical Society. As a tribute to the existing steel structure, a portion of the existing west abutment was salvaged during demolition, and a plaque with commemorative information was installed as part of a Wisconsin historical marker.
Challenges Faced
- Bedrock was encountered approximately 7 ft deep at the abutment.
- Environmental concerns for Turtle Creek include fish spawning windows, migratory birds, Northern Long-Eared Bats, and invasive aquatic species.
- Subsurface limestone below the structure footing elevation.
- Access to nearby Sweet Allyn Park, community festivals, and canoe launches
Solutions Implemented
- All additional pre-boring work was completed within a timely manner, adding less than two weeks to the entire project schedule.
- Working with the contractor, WisDOT, and WisDNR, the contractor-maintained timeframes for fish spawning, cleaned in-water equipment, and reduced impacts on birds and other species within the project limits.
- With coordination with WisDOT & WisDNR, the contractor installed a turbidity barrier instead of cofferdams due to shallow limestone subsurface layers.
- Coordination with local property owners and safety buoys were installed along the work zone in the creek.
Field Data: 415 CY Concrete Masonry Bridges, 72,480 lbs. Bar Steel Reinforcement, 390 LF Piling
