Monday, April 18, 2011

More To A Bridge Than Meets The Eye

Many times work on the structure over a stream involves more than the bridge itself. There is the stream the bridge goes over as well as inhabitants of the that stream and the banks of the stream. All of these are important, not only for the bridge but also for the stream banks that are the foundation for the bridge.

Recently the McHenry County Division of Transportation (MCDOT) was recognized by "Land and Water" magazine in an article entitled “Illinois Bridge Replacement Project Protects High Quality Stream” for its innovative approach to replacing the 58 year old bridge over the North Branch of the Kishwaukee River. The bridge construction project received accolades for preserving both the excellent quality of the stream and the endangered Iowa Darter Fish.

MCDOT and Illinois Constructors Corporation developed a construction schedule to begin the project in early February 2010 that took into account the spawning season of the Iowa Darter Fish and various needs of area farmers.

The Kishwaukee Valley Road Bridge was completed on June 10, 2010 and was built to specifications and opened ahead of schedule. The bridge is one of 140 bridges in McHenry County, most of which are between 40 to 60 years old. Four to six bridges are scheduled to be replaced this year. The contractor, Illinois Constructors Corporation, was selected by the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association from hundreds of nominees as a recipient of one of their Contractor of the Year awards for this project.

The full article can be read at the following link

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