Engineering studies for the City of Grand Island found the condition and status of the Sycamore Street underpass was in need of repair in order to extend the life of the structure. The existing Front Street bridge, a single-span reinforced concrete bridge deck, over Sycamore Street sustained significant deterioration. Public safety interests required its removal along with replacing the eastern abutment. It also showed substantial evidence of water infiltration onto the deck along with infiltration within the body of abutments. In addition, the pumps serving the removal of storm water runoff had well exceeded their design life.
Benesch conducted a study of the area surrounding the existing bridge with the objective of developing preliminary design alternatives to address bridge deterioration and public safety concerns. Following the identification of the best alternative, according to performance, public acceptance and cost, Benesch began the design process to create plans for reconstructing South Front Street bridge and the associated eastern abutment. The bridge replacement will involve raising the top of the bridge by approximately one foot over the current elevation. In addition, the bridge width will be reduced from approximately 54 feet to 32 feet.
Benesch provided comprehensive engineering services including project management, coordination with UPRR, topographic survey, groundwater evaluation, stormwater piping evaluation and remediation, roadway design, pump system removal and replacement, bridge design, abutment and retaining wall remediation and bidding services.
Construction of the project started in late 2018 and was completed in late summer of 2020.