Picture courtesy of Mississippi Division of Transportation
In Marion County, Mississippi, development crews are changing two ageing bridges over the Pearl River on U.S. 98. Paintings at the $57.7 million venture started in January 2024.
In Marion County, Mississippi, development crews are changing two ageing bridges over the Pearl River on U.S. 98. Paintings at the $57.7 million venture started in January 2024.
“The U.S. 98 eastbound bridge over the Pearl River was once constructed within the Nineteen Thirties and is relatively slender,” defined Jordan Whittington, Mississippi Division of Transportation (MDOT) District 7 development engineer. “Motorists will revel in wider lanes as soon as the brand new bridge is done. The westbound bridge is a extra trendy bridge, constructed within the 60s or 70s; alternatively, the root of it’s been impacted by way of periodic flooding of the Pearl River. Due to this fact, the verdict was once made to exchange each bridges as a part of one venture.”
Picture courtesy of Mississippi Division of Transportation
About 16,000 cars go back and forth this main course for the within sight town of Columbia every day. Like many highways, site visitors is heaviest all the way through top morning and night time travel occasions.
“The U.S. 98 eastbound bridge closure has brought about extra congestion within the space, however maximum motorists perceive the will for the venture, and settle for the brief inconvenience that incorporates enhancements of this nature,” stated Whittington.
“Recently, a head-to-head site visitors configuration is in position at the westbound bridge whilst the eastbound bridge is being changed. No vast lots exceeding 10 ft are accredited over the westbound bridge. As soon as development is finished at the eastbound bridge, site visitors will probably be shifted to the eastbound bridge in a head-to-head configuration, whilst the westbound bridge is closed for substitute.”
The brand new bridges will probably be as much as trendy requirements and can characteristic wider lanes and shoulders. Additionally, drill shafts and metal spans will probably be used within the development, making it imaginable to elongate the span and reduce the collection of columns in the midst of the river.
“Fewer columns will support marine site visitors, making the Pearl River more straightforward to go back and forth, whilst additionally reducing the chance of a bridge strike by way of a marine vessel. Moreover, seasonal flooding brings particles reminiscent of downed bushes into the river channel. This particles has a tendency to assemble on the rest positioned in the primary river channel to the purpose the place now we have needed to let contracts for particles elimination.”
T.L. Wallace was once the bottom bidder for the venture.
“The corporate is primarily based in Columbia,” stated Whittington. “The shut proximity of the venture to the contractor’s headquarters signifies that basic mobilization to the venture website takes position extra temporarily, saving money and time at the venture.
“The contractor additionally will stabilize the channel north of the bridge websites to be able to save you erosion and scour problems that experience impacted the present bridges.”
Whittington defined the paintings goes smartly total, and not using a main problems.
“Although development is progressing easily, one facet the place crews have needed to make changes is because of an environmental fear with fish within the Pearl River. In order to not disturb the breeding season for the Gulf sturgeon, the contractor paused the bridge elimination procedure.”
The contractor was once in a position to renew disposing of the outdated bridge’s columns within the Pearl River in June. To stay the venture on tempo, paintings shifted to different duties all the way through that point. Crews assembled metal reinforcement cages for the trial drill shaft.
Relating to website paintings, earthwork and bridge and pavement demolition had been required, in addition to riprap placement at the north riverbank.
“Parts of the eastbound bridge had been got rid of and financial institution stabilization paintings has begun. Financial institution stabilization efforts contain the location of riprap within the channel and riverbank to forestall erosion and scour that may purpose harm to the bridge foundations.”
Whittington famous the significance of mitigating erosion within the space.
“To offer protection to and take care of infrastructure, the land beneath should be strong. The Pearl River has a powerful present, and mitigating erosion and scour is vital to stabilize within sight infrastructure over the longer term.”
Whittington stated, to this point, the weather have no longer been a subject matter.
“The venture started within the overdue iciness/early spring, which is usually wet in Mississippi; alternatively, we’ve not had extraordinary climate to this point that has affected the venture.”
Picture courtesy of Mississippi Division of Transportation
Grime amounts are reasonably small, with the venture calling for roughly 10,000 cu. yds. of unclassified and extra subject material which is most commonly across the bridge ends. Additionally, roughly 25,000 cu. yds. of borrow subject material is getting used to construct the crossovers for swapping site visitors, in addition to development out the slopes to present federal requirements.
Heavy apparatus getting used at the venture comprises a couple of measurement cranes, observe excavators, sell off vans, milling machines, skid steer loaders, concrete pump vans and specialised drilling apparatus for drilled shafts.
In line with Whittington, fabrication of metal contributors will also be some of the time-consuming duties for crews. Moreover, putting in good enough paintings bridges/platforms can take time ahead of precise development at the bridge takes position.
Whilst it is nonetheless early within the procedure, Whittington stated development is on agenda to be finished in 2027 and can make for a smoother riding revel in.
“The venture will deliver the bridges as much as trendy requirements, improving protection for each motorists and marine site visitors.”
He added, “As an established resident of Columbia, I am proud to serve the neighborhood by way of making sure this bridge is definitely constructed and meets the wishes of the following era.” CEG
