Board to decide fate of low-water bridge
Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Sager Creek Advisory Commission wants to replace the low-water bridge over Sager Creek with a two-lane bridge.
The commission made several recommendations that will be voted on by the city board Aug. 5 • Maintain the current bridge and dam for another two to five years • Reopen bridge to traffic but keep repairs to a minimum • Build a two-lane bridge with a pedestrian walkway • Remove old bridge and dam The commission decided on these items July 15.
The cost to replace or repair the bridge is undetermined now.
Engineers found large holes and cracks in the footing of the lowwater bridge off University Street.
Garver Engineers returned to further inspect the bridge July 15.
The engineering company is expected to send a letter to the city about the second inspection of the bridge sometime this week.
The city would be able to repair the bridge using concrete if the foundation of the bridge is good, according to a previous letter from Garver Engineers.
Load limits should be required to prevent further damage, the letter showed.
However, the bridge might need to be replaced if the foundation is damaged.
"With a structure of this age and deterioration, replacement should be considered," according to the letter.
The bridge closed to vehicles June 27 but remains open to pedestrians. The engineering company previously looked at the bridge June 30.
The bridge serves as a way for vehicles and pedestrians to cross over Sager Creek and as a dam and spillway for the creek, City Administrator David Cameron said.
The city would close the bridge when water rose over the bridge after heavy rains.
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