Johnson Street Bridge

 

Scope:

 

The project will involve the replacement of the northbound (eastern most) Johnson Street bridge structure in the City of Elkhart .  This structure was built in 1918 and was widened in 1954.  The design shall include, but is not limited to:  bridge size and type analysis, survey, geotechnical analysis and foundation design, drainage design and erosion control plans, maintenance of traffic plans, all required state and federal permits including coordination with and approval of American Electric Power regarding their adjacent dam structure, and preparation of contract plans and specifications. 

 

Currently there are two structures present at the bridge site.  The northbound structure, constructed in 1918 and the southbound structure constructed in 1992.  The new structure will be constructed to the west of the structure constructed in 1992. The new structure would be designed to carry the southbound traffic while the 1992 structure would be converted to carry the northbound traffic.  The new southbound structure would have a typical section matching the existing southbound structure. 

 

In order to accommodate this proposed structure configuration, the existing alignment of Johnson Street will need to be shifted to the west approximately 50 feet.  The alignment shift would be accomplished by extending the tangent sections in the north and south approaches toward the structure and placing horizontal curves at each end of the structure. 

Diagram of Bridge

 

Anticipated Design Timetable:

 

February 23, 2007        Proposals from engineering firms due

March 26, 2007            Engineering firms interviewed/recommendation to Commissioners

May 1, 2007                 Design began

February 1, 2008          Design completion date (completion date subject to change based on changes in scope of the design)

 

Design Consulting Engineer: 

 

DLZ

 

Elkhart County Engineering Project Manager: 

 

Katie Niblock

 

Information/Updates:

 

November 2, 2006        Scheduled county bridge inspection.

·         This inspection encompasses an overall review of the structure.

·         This inspection is scheduled to be done every 2 years.

 

May 8, 2006                 Fracture critical inspection.   

·         During this inspection, tension members, connections, floor beams and floor beam hangers are reviewed in detail.

·         This inspection is scheduled to be done every 2 years.

 

August 6, 2007 INDOT inspection.

·         As a result of the I35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis , Governor Mitch Daniels ordered the Indiana Department of Transportation to inspect all bridges in Indiana of similar design.

 

August 17, 2007            Structure Size and Type Analysis complete (DLZ)

 

August 29, 2007            Life Cycle Analysis Complete (DLZ)

 

August 30, 2007            Preliminary Design Plans submitted  

 

September 10, 2007      DLZ/Highway Dept. presented structure options to Commissioners

·         Commissioners chose to proceed with a 2-span steel girder option for the new structure

 

September 13, 2007      2nd INDOT inspection (with larger inspection vehicle)

·         INDOT has hired a consultant, Janssen & Spaans Engineering, Inc., to do fracture critical inspections of the bridge every 3 months.

 

September 14, 2007      Preliminary Plan Review meeting with DLZ

 

September 20, 2007      Coordination meeting between Elkhart City and County

 

December 12, 2007      DLZ to submit Final Plans to County

 

January 25, 2008           DLZ to submit Final Tracings to County

 

April 7, 2008                Posted project for bid