Veterans Memorial Bridge

Details
Location: Dixon, Ill.
Service: Bridge replacement
Project Cost: $6.6 million
Client/Owner: city of Dixon
Completed: 2005

Description
Hanson was selected by the city of Dixon, Ill., to provide phase I engineering services for the rehabilitation of the Veterans Memorial Bridge which carries Peoria Avenue over the Rock River in downtown Dixon, Ill.  This project was originally programmed for major bridge funding in fiscal year 2000.  The original scope of repairs, as determined by another consultant associated with the original funding request, was to include superstructure replacement and substructure repairs.

A review of original bridge drawings revealed that the existing piers were unreinforced.  Extensive field investigations, material testing and structural analyses were performed to evaluate the possibility of reusing the existing piers.  Although structurally feasible, it was determined that superstructure replacement would not be cost effective. 

After project approval, Hanson began phase II engineering services associated with final design and the preparation of construction documents.

The bridge consists of a five-span, steel-plate girder and concrete deck superstructure supported by reinforced concrete piers and abutments.  The wall-type piers are founded on drilled shafts socketed into the underlying bedrock.  The spill-through abutments are founded on end-bearing steel H-piles.  The total bridge length is 668 feet and 6 inches, back-to-back of abutments.  The bridge width is 70 feet and 8 inches.

The bridge deck accommodates a 12-foot-wide multi-use path along the west side.  The path connects to the park district’s path along the north side of the river.  The path will ultimately connect to a proposed pedestrian/bike path along the south side of the river. 

Throughout preliminary and final design, Hanson coordinated with the city, the park district and the riverfront committee to develop and incorporate aesthetic design components that would enhance the project.  Specific aesthetic features showcased in the final design include decorative bridge railings and lighting, brick-embossed concrete paths under the bridge, and special concrete form liners used to spell “VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE” on the back face of each concrete parapet.

Challenges
Since the project cost significantly exceeded the programmed funding, Hanson assisted the city of Dixon, Ill., with re-programming the project for a later fiscal year to the maximum funding level. The project was re-programmed for major bridge funding in fiscal year 2005.

Services
Phase I services provided by Hanson included:

• topographic surveys,
• bridge hydraulic analysis,
• soil borings,
• preliminary design,
• project coordination, 
• environmental survey request,
• joint permit application,
• TS&L (type, size and location) drawings, and
• the necessary project reports including bridge condition report, preliminary bridge design and hydraulic report, and project development report.

Due to the need for temporary easements on adjacent Dixon Park District property, a Programmatic 4(f) Statement was also required.  Hanson coordinated easement issues with the Dixon Park District and collaborated with the district on its contiguous bike-path project.

Hanson provided construction engineering services, including full-time, on-site observation throughout the 12-month construction schedule.