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July 18. 2012 9:33PM
Loon Mountain bridge engineering study approved
LINCOLN — If all goes according to plan, drivers crossing the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River at Loon Mountain Resort will face very few inconveniences when a replacement bridge is constructed next to the Loon Mountain Bridge.
H.E. Bergeron Engineers (HEB) of North Conway recently announced that the firm's engineering study for the Loon Mountain Bridge has been approved by the Lincoln selectboard and the N.H. Department of Transportation. HEB is working with the town of Lincoln, NHDOT, and FEMA to secure funding for the project.
On Wednesday, Peter Joseph, Lincoln town manager, said, “while this is the recommended and preferred choice at this time, we are still waiting on a determination from FEMA on whether the full replacement of the bridge will be able to be funded. Officials from the Town and NH Department of Transportation met with FEMA yesterday in order to review some of the additional documentation that FEMA is requesting before they make a funding determination. At this time we are confident that we will be able to provide all of the required documentation in order for FEMA officials to make a preliminary recommendation.”
At the 2012 town meeting, Lincoln voters approved using $300,000 of the unreserved fund balance for the work. The project is expected to cost about $7 million.
A span of the bridge collapsed several days after tropical storm Irene came through the region. A temporary bridge section was put up in its place. Until the new bridge is opened, drivers will continue to use the prefabricated modular steel Acrow bridge. Joseph said that if the construction of a new bridge gets the FEMA funds, the old bridge will likely stay open through most, if not all, the construction period.
The plan differs from the previously preferred alternative. That alternative included reusing the undamaged decks on a new bridge. At the board's May meeting, Chris Fournier, PE of HEB said that the new bridge alternative adds more than 60 years to the life of the concrete decks, and an estimated $400,000 to the project's cost, with $20,000 of that anticipated to be the town's share.
In June, Fournier came back before the board, after receiving comments from NHDOT on the draft engineering study. Taking the comments into consideration, and Fournier's recommendations, the board approved building a new bridge, without reusing any of the material from the old bridge.
The project also includes relocating the utilities that run under the bridge.
The north span of the three-lane bridge was damaged during Irene and collapsed on Aug. 31. Until a 120-foot temporary section was erected to replace the missing span, vehicle traffic was rerouted across the South Mountain Bridge through private residential developments.
The bridge is located at a bend which focuses of the river's scour energy on the north abutment. It has been damaged by high, fast waters before. To prevent damage from future flood events, the new substructures will be underpinned with micropiles anchored deep into bedrock. Microplies are small piles drilled and grouted into place.
Joseph said the construction schedule depends on how quickly funding comes through.
Sara Young-Knox may be reached at syoungknox@newstote.com.
H.E. Bergeron Engineers (HEB) of North Conway recently announced that the firm's engineering study for the Loon Mountain Bridge has been approved by the Lincoln selectboard and the N.H. Department of Transportation. HEB is working with the town of Lincoln, NHDOT, and FEMA to secure funding for the project.
On Wednesday, Peter Joseph, Lincoln town manager, said, “while this is the recommended and preferred choice at this time, we are still waiting on a determination from FEMA on whether the full replacement of the bridge will be able to be funded. Officials from the Town and NH Department of Transportation met with FEMA yesterday in order to review some of the additional documentation that FEMA is requesting before they make a funding determination. At this time we are confident that we will be able to provide all of the required documentation in order for FEMA officials to make a preliminary recommendation.”
At the 2012 town meeting, Lincoln voters approved using $300,000 of the unreserved fund balance for the work. The project is expected to cost about $7 million.
A span of the bridge collapsed several days after tropical storm Irene came through the region. A temporary bridge section was put up in its place. Until the new bridge is opened, drivers will continue to use the prefabricated modular steel Acrow bridge. Joseph said that if the construction of a new bridge gets the FEMA funds, the old bridge will likely stay open through most, if not all, the construction period.
The plan differs from the previously preferred alternative. That alternative included reusing the undamaged decks on a new bridge. At the board's May meeting, Chris Fournier, PE of HEB said that the new bridge alternative adds more than 60 years to the life of the concrete decks, and an estimated $400,000 to the project's cost, with $20,000 of that anticipated to be the town's share.
In June, Fournier came back before the board, after receiving comments from NHDOT on the draft engineering study. Taking the comments into consideration, and Fournier's recommendations, the board approved building a new bridge, without reusing any of the material from the old bridge.
The project also includes relocating the utilities that run under the bridge.
The north span of the three-lane bridge was damaged during Irene and collapsed on Aug. 31. Until a 120-foot temporary section was erected to replace the missing span, vehicle traffic was rerouted across the South Mountain Bridge through private residential developments.
The bridge is located at a bend which focuses of the river's scour energy on the north abutment. It has been damaged by high, fast waters before. To prevent damage from future flood events, the new substructures will be underpinned with micropiles anchored deep into bedrock. Microplies are small piles drilled and grouted into place.
Joseph said the construction schedule depends on how quickly funding comes through.
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Sara Young-Knox may be reached at syoungknox@newstote.com.