LONE TREE, CO – When an over-height excavator being transported by trailer struck Sky Ridge Bridge over NB I-25 in 2021, the City of Lone Tree in Colorado had to work quickly to tackle the emergency repair. The City’s work, in collaboration with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), WSP and Benesch, earned them recognition from both the American Public Works Association Colorado Chapter and the American Council of Engineering Companies of Colorado (ACEC CO).
Following the crash and closure of I-25, Benesch was requested to perform, in participation with CDOT engineers, an initial assessment of damage to the bridge. Inspection revealed that a single, damaged girder would need removal and replacement along with associated bridge structure. WSP produced a design to remove and replace the damaged girder and the City engaged Benesch to provide Construction Engineering and Inspection services for the project.
“The emergency nature of this project required an extremely aggressive schedule. We had to carefully balance the engineering needs with an expedited schedule and regulatory requirements,” said Benesch Resident Project Manager James Newberry. “The success of this repair is a testament to the power of teamwork. By collaborating closely with the City and CDOT, we were able to quickly restore Sky Ridge Bridge for the community.”
At the APWA Colorado Annual Conference, the project was named the winner of the Disaster or Emergency – Construction, Repair or Response Small Community Award. Newberry and colleague Steve Hakes, Benesch Project Manager, presented on the project and later joined Benesch staff to celebrate at the award ceremony. Learn more about the award in the Colorado Public Works Journal.
The project was also recognized at the ACEC CO Engineering Excellence Awards with an Honor award in the special projects category. In the video below, Newberry discusses Benesch’s work on this emergency repair project.
Learn more about Benesch’s role on the project here.