These projects involved design, waterway permitting, and approach roadway design of four structures under DCNR Project No. FDC-800-102187.1 for Wen-Brooke Contracting, Inc.
DCNR
This project involved removal of the existing structure and construction of a bridge to carry Babcock Creek Road over Babcock Creek in DCNR Forest District 6, Gallitzin State Forest.
The bridge replacement project included a single span precast rigid frame structure supported on cast-in-place reinforced concrete abutments with independent reinforced concrete wingwalls. The final design has a clear span of 22’-0” and sets on a 90-degree skew. This configuration provides a larger waterway opening that improves the hydraulic capacity. Alternate vertical wall barriers were constructed parallel to the survey and construction centerline. The bridge now has a clear roadway width of 18’-0” and an overall out to out width of 21’-0”.
The project included the removal of the former structure and construction of a bridge to carry Tailgate Road over an unnamed tributary to Licking Creek in DCNR Forest District 2, Buchanan State Forest.
The bridge replacement included a single span precast concrete arch structure supported on cast-in-place reinforced concrete abutments with independent cast-in-place reinforced concrete wingwalls. The replaced bridge has a clear span of 24’-0”. The new structure sets on a 90 degree skew. This configuration provides a larger waterway opening that will improve the hydraulic capacity compared to the former structure. Alternate Vertical Wall Barriers with architectural surface treatment were constructed parallel to the survey and construction centerline. The bridge has a clear roadway width of 20’-0 1/2” and an overall out to out width of 24’-0 1/2”. The driving surface aggregate (DSA) roadway surface over the structure now has a 2% normal crown. The new structure is located on a new alignment approximately 26’ upstream of the former structure.
The project included the removal of the former structure and construction of a bridge to carry Riansares Road over Cooper Run in DCNR Forest District 7, Bald Eagle State Forest.
The replacement bridge is a single span precast rigid frame structure supported on cast-in-place reinforced concrete abutments with independent reinforced concrete wingwalls. The new bridge has a clear span of 24’-3 1/4” along the roadway centerline and 22’-0” normal to the abutments. The new structure sets on a 65 degree skew. This configuration provides a larger waterway opening that will improve the hydraulic capacity compared to the former structure. Alternate Vertical Wall Barriers with architectural surface treatment were constructed parallel to the survey and construction centerline. The bridge now has a clear roadway width of 18’-6” and an overall out to out width of 21’-6”. The driving surface aggregate (DSA) roadway surface over the structure has a 2% normal crown.
The project included the removal of the former structure and construction of a bridge to carry Poplar Hill Road over Middle Creek in DCNR Forest District 1, Michaux State Forest.
The new bridge is a single span prestressed concrete composite spread box beam superstructure with a reinforced concrete deck supported on cast-in- place reinforced concrete abutments with independent reinforced concrete wingwalls. The bridge has a center to center bearing distance of 42’-0” with a normal clear span of 40’-0” and sets on a 90-degree skew. This configuration provides a larger waterway opening that improves the hydraulic capacity. Alternate vertical wall barriers were constructed parallel to the survey and construction centerline. The bridge now has a clear roadway width of 20’-0” to accommodate two 10’-0” wide traffic lanes with an overall out to out width of 23’-0”.
For over 20 years I have had the privilege of working with Keller Engineers and their staff of surveyors, and civil and structural engineers on over $150 million worth of work. During these project relationships and partnering opportunities, my architectural teams have received nothing but premium professional services and courtesy towards my own staff, clients and prospective clients with stellar attention given to building and site details, client responsiveness and peer respect. I look forward to many more teaming opportunities and urge any other architectural firms, municipalities or clients who have not worked with Keller Engineers to do so. You will be pleasantly surprised! Richard L. Karcher, AIA, NCARB