Creekside Drive Bridge Replacement over Spring Brook

Project Details:

• Location: Creekside Drive (MS 4065) over Spring Brook No. 1, City of Wheaton, DuPage County
• Existing Structure: 022-7202
• Replacement Structure: 022-7205
• Dimensions: 39′ wide (2 traffic lanes + 2 sidewalks + 2 parapet walls) x 59′ 8″ long
• Average Daily Traffic: 2,050 vehicles
• Speed Limit: 25 mph
• Road Type: Local Road

Challenges:

1. Deteriorating Structure: The existing two-span bridge had issues with its center pier, requiring frequent maintenance and presenting potential safety risks. The center pier had become a point of concern due to erosion and structural instability, causing ongoing challenges for maintenance teams.
2. Traffic Flow and Accessibility: The bridge was an important local roadway with a daily traffic volume of 2,050 vehicles. It was crucial to minimize disruption during construction to maintain access to the surrounding areas.
3. Design and Permitting: The replacement bridge needed to adhere to local, state, and federal guidelines for design, particularly considering the environmental sensitivity of Spring Brook, which required careful coordination and permitting.
4. Construction Logistics: Replacing the existing two-span bridge with a single-span structure required thoughtful planning to ensure minimal disruption to the community and to the creek itself. The bridge’s location made logistics more complex, with considerations for road closures, detours, and maintaining the flow of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Solution:

The City of Wheaton worked closely with a team of engineers, led by Sarang Lagvankar, Senior Project Engineer, and design consultants Tony Standish, PE, SE, and Alex Schwarz, PE, from Strand Associates, to develop a comprehensive plan for the new bridge. The general contractor, Herlihy Mid-Continent Company, and resident engineer Donovan Kilker of Strand Associates managed the construction process to ensure that the project was completed on time and within budget.

1. Bridge Design: The replacement bridge was designed as a 39-foot wide single-span structure with two traffic lanes, two sidewalks, and two parapet walls. The addition of sidewalks ensures pedestrian safety, while the width of the bridge accommodates current and future traffic needs. The total length of the bridge is 59 feet 8 inches, providing ample clearance over Spring Brook.
2. Superstructure: The new bridge features a composite 8-inch cast-in-place concrete deck supported by 18-inch Valmont U-BEAM Tub Girders. This combination offers a durable, low-maintenance solution that can withstand the environmental conditions of the site. The use of U-BEAM Tub Girders reduces the need for a central pier, addressing one of the primary issues of the original design.
3. Single-Span Design: Replacing the existing two-span structure with a single-span bridge eliminates the center pier that had caused frequent maintenance concerns. This change not only simplifies the structure but also improves the hydraulic flow and reduces the risk of future erosion around the creek’s banks.
4. Traffic Management and Construction: To minimize disruption to the community, the construction team developed an efficient traffic management plan. Temporary detours were established to ensure that local traffic could still access the area without major delays. The project was completed with minimal interruption to daily activities and road access.

Outcome:

The Creekside Drive Bridge replacement has significantly improved the safety, reliability, and longevity of the bridge, benefiting both the City of Wheaton and the surrounding community. The new structure eliminates the maintenance issues related to the original center pier and provides a more resilient design to withstand future traffic demands.

Key outcomes include:

• Improved Safety: The addition of sidewalks for pedestrians and the replacement of the center pier with a single-span design improves both pedestrian and vehicular safety.
• Reduced Maintenance: The single-span design with U-BEAM Tub Girders reduces ongoing maintenance costs associated with the old structure, particularly eliminating issues with the center pier.
• Enhanced Traffic Flow: With a wider bridge, the new structure improves the capacity for traffic, which helps manage the daily flow of 2,050 vehicles efficiently.
• Community Impact: The bridge replacement was completed with minimal disruption to traffic and the local community, ensuring that access was maintained throughout the construction process.

Lessons Learned:

• Strategic Use of Single-Span Design: Replacing a two-span bridge with a single-span structure was an effective solution to reduce maintenance issues and improve the bridge’s structural integrity. This design decision helped eliminate the problematic center pier and enhanced hydraulic flow.
• Effective Coordination: Close collaboration between the City of Wheaton, design consultants, contractors, and engineers allowed for a smooth project execution and timely completion, ensuring that the community experienced minimal disruption during the bridge replacement process.
• Pedestrian Safety: Adding sidewalks to the new bridge improves safety for pedestrians and cyclists, addressing a key aspect that was missing in the previous design.

The successful replacement of the Creekside Drive Bridge over Spring Brook ensures a safer, more reliable crossing for local traffic while addressing maintenance concerns. With its enhanced design, the new bridge will serve the community for years to come, offering improved safety, functionality, and long-term resilience.