Glenwood Bridge
From the minutes of the city council meeting on June 6th. . .
BRIDGE REPLACEMENT GLENWOOD/WADE AVENUE REPORT RECEIVED; TO BE PLACED ON
JUNE 20 AGENDA TO RECEIVEA REPORT FROM THE STATE
City Manager Benton indicated the Council has previously reviewed the
plans by State DOT to replace the Glenwood/Wade Avenue bridge. Since then
the State has given further consideration to their overall design and the
City has retained a consultant to evaluate the bridge condition. City
Manager Benton stated he thought the State would be ready for the report
but they called and said they were not quite ready.
Ted L. Bartelt, Alpha & Omega Group, the City's consultant, was at the
meeting to provide a report. Mayor Coble stated he assumed everyone had
read the material and the report which pretty much confirms what the State
has said with a couple of suggestions or options. He indicated his reading
of Alpha & Omega Group report is that it would be a little less expensive
to do repairs than to replace the bridge but you would not get the same
life expectancy. Mayor Coble indicated the questions he wants answered is
why the State could not replace the bridge at the same height, same
location, just new material. Mr. Bartelt talked about the vertical and
horizontal clearances required for bridges. He indicated at one point the
existing bridge is 13.10 feet and the minimum requirement by the Federal
Highway Commission is 15 feet. He pointed out the horizontal clearance to
the substructure is 2 to 3 feet from the curb to the columns and the
federal requirements call for 15 to 18 feet. Mr. Bartelt stated basically
the bridge is functionally obsolete. The substructure being so close to
the curb would be seen as a safety hazard. He talked about repairs to the
bridge and what could be done.
Mayor Coble stated he still feels that the bridge could be replaced and
talked about the aesthetics and the history of the bridge and questioned
if the State ever just replaces a bridge. Mr. Bartelt talked about Federal
funding guidelines or funding for replacement and repairs. He talked about
the sufficiency rating for repairs and with the volume of traffic below
and above the bridge he does not see it falling within that standard. In
response to questioning, Mr. Bartelt pointed out he felt the estimated
cost for repairing the bridge would be some $680,000. The issues that
would have to be addressed relates to blocking traffic causing detours
etc., with it being pointed out a new bridge construction would cause the
same problem. Mr. Odom questioned how long a repaired bridge would last as
opposed to a new bridge. Mr. Bartelt pointed out the life of a repaired
bridge would be 20 to 30 years. He talked about the leaking at the joints
which has caused deterioration to the substructure and some
of the super structure. The life expectancy of a new bridge would be some
50 years. Brief discussion took place with Mr. Odom questioning how long
the bridge will have to be closed to traffic with Mr. Bartelt pointing out
it depends on whether road work is required. He stated it could run from a
9 to 18 month time frame depending on the amount of road work.
Mr. Scruggs indicated hearing the report gives him more confidence in the
State's proposal. He stated he thinks he is ready to support State DOT's
proposal as their revised plans are better but not great. He indicated he
had some concerns about the functioning aspects of the traffic and talked
about guaranteeing an access to Williamson Drive and Cole Street. He
talked about the need for signalization at Harvey Street. He talked about
the need to have two lanes on the north side.
Mayor Coble again questioned if Mr. Bartelt felt there was any possibility
that the State would put a new bridge that fits into the existing
location. Mr. Bartelt pointed out they could possibly do something that
would give more horizontal clearance and they may be able to utilize
retaining walls but there would be some difficulty.
Mr. Kirkman pointed out some of the neighbors wanted to be at the meeting
when this item was discussed and he had received several calls from the
community. He stated he feels it would expedite the process if the Council
would have a limited period for comment when the State makes its
presentation rather than having to have a public hearing. It was discussed
briefly with Mayor Coble questioning if the City is on some kind of
deadline with the Manager indicating there is no deadline involved. Mayor
Coble suggested letting the State come in and making their report and then
the Council could decide whether it should go to a committee, have a
hearing or what. In response to questioning from Mr. Odom, Mr. Bartelt
pointed out the estimated life of the bridge in its current condition
would be 8 to 10 years.
