College Avenue Bridge Replacement

The box culvert structure on WIS 125/College Avenue over Mud Creek, originally constructed in 1953, had reached the end of its service life and required replacement. The project was chosen as one the state’s first Design-Builds and WisDOT engaged Benesch to provide owner’s representation services.

College Avenue is a major arterial for the City of Appleton, carrying over 30,000 vehicles per day and connecting I-41 and downtown Appleton, the Fox River Mall, Appleton International Airport and major commercial districts. The project was chosen as a Design-Build to accelerate the design to construction process partly in effort to complete the project before the I-41 expansion project began. Major project elements include existing structure removal, over 1,400 CY of structural concrete, pile driving, structural approach slabs, new bridge construction and incidentals. Benesch provided owner’s representation throughout the entire design-build process from project design phase through project construction and completion.

As one of the first Design-Build projects in the state, Benesch has been tasked with navigating through the complex alternative delivery project process and providing feedback and lessons learned to the Department for future Design-Build projects. Project challenges include traffic mitigation during the full closure alternative selected, structure removal and construction around high-pressure gas mains that were cast into the footings of the existing structure, and a highly aggressive and condensed project schedule. The Benesch Team worked with local businesses to ensure that customers were able to navigate the closures and access their businesses safely.