how to avoid zilwaukee bridge

as the construction proceeds. major holiday weekends and during the fall hunting season. Neither do we. The dramatic failure of the Zilwaukee Bridge was successfully repaired by the State of Michigan in 1983. portion of the new route in the Saginaw area was opened to traffic. Cables in the bridge run through galvanized steel ducts that have been polychorinated biphenyl will cost at least $100,000 and could delay completion course, for many Michiganders, the Zilwaukee Bridge evokes a response harkening The Zilwaukee Bridge is one of the few, if not the only, bridge in Michigan that doesn't use salt to de-ice the roadway, an MDOT official said. It was opened in 1988 and is 8,000 feet (2440 m) long and 125 feet (38 m) at its highest point. are 73.5 feet wide and either eight feet or 12 feet long. These joints have to be kept perfectly immobile during construction, so they are filled with temporary blocks held in place with steel tendons. subjected every day to far heavier weights than it will ever experience 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. had also been converted to full freeway with overpasses and interchanges However, the bridge caused long traffic jams whenever it opened, so local officials commissioned an alternative. bascule bridge was permanently closed on that datebut only to automobile as well. This helps to ensure that the bridge could withstand about twice as much weight as is predicted during peak traffic hours. cast into each segment. In 1979, with its Joint Venture partner Stevin Construction, Toebe won the contract to construct the Zilwaukee Bridge near Saginaw, Michigan. text here is reproduced word-for-word from the original report and But in 1982, with the bridge about half-built, a major construction accident halted work. The resulting fiasco was the worst in Michigan's transit history. Posted December 22, 2019, by Mike Kerkau (mjkerkau [at] gmail [dot] com) One thing worth noting: Upon the opening of this bridge to traffic, it served a triple concurrency of I-75/U.S. All rights reserved (About Us). The Zilwaukee Bridge is a high-level, segmental concrete bridge spanning the Saginaw River in the U.S. state of Michigan.The river serves as the boundary between Zilwaukee Township and the city of Zilwaukee at this point, which is approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) north of downtown Saginaw.. For the first three years, everything went according to plan, and all of the piers were constructed on schedule. the opening of the (original) Zilwaukee Bridge in 1960 it became clear It is the cables that hold all the segments in compression. In the 1950s, Michigan expanded its transportation system expanding north from Saginaw and through Zilwaukee. The river serves as the boundary between Zilwaukee Township and the city of Zilwaukee at this point, which is approximately 5 miles (8.0km) north of downtown Saginaw. The State Journal story from Nov. 11, 1960. In April 2008, work crews replacing bridge bearings unexpectedly drilled into several reinforcing steel bars in the bridge. Now that is amazing. As an aid in joining each precast piece to its mate, high-strength epoxy The cost was approximately $6.8 million. This would have been a big enough problem with only the increased vehicle traffic, but Michigan's growing economy also meant that shipping traffic was rapidly increasing. at the intersecting roads. The new bearings should last anywhere from 25 to 50 years, or possibly even longer, he said. Its purpose, though, was largely as a seal to keep out water and roadway contaminants. The two new segments then are stressed to the MDOT Bay City Transportation Service Center Manager Gregg Brunner said The bridge was only 150 feet wide and several ships actually hit The total launching girder apparatus weighs The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. after it is opened to traffic. as they come together and fills the tiny imperfections in the faces. You are being asked to avoid the area. The total cost of the bridge project was around $127 million, with the federal funds paying for 90 percent of it, according to MDOT records. Construction on the new Zilwaukee Bridge began in 1979. The original bid for the project was $76.8 million. Adding insult to injury, the contractor discovered that more than 30 of the new bearings weren't properly designed and would not fit where they were to be installed. [5] During 2014, special custom-made jacks were put into place as a stop-gap measure while bearings were replaced.[6]. The concrete segments were built nearby, at a facility constructed for the project. After an extensive investigation, five separate factors were identified, but the main issue was that too much construction weight was placed on the joint while the deck was being built. Back to: Section 2: Background Construction efforts hit a major setback in August 1982, when, among other, less-significant causes, mispositioned weight crushed a temporary block placed in an expansion joint. After eight years of construction, the northbound lanes of the Zilwaukee Bridge were opened Dec. 23, 1987. Zilwaukee Mayor Gene Jolin said he hopes the state will keep two-way traffic on the bridge when it starts a two-year deck replacement and bearing project in 2012. On December 7, 2012 the Detroit News reported that a $70 million MDOT program would commence the following April to replace 154 bearings, rebuild 4 miles of I-75, replace the Janes Road bridge, and repair the CSX and Wadsworth Road rail bridges in the area. Each segment is manufactured with 10,000 pounds of reinforcing steel inside. crossing the bridge and continuing northerly toward Bay City. 23/U.S. The concrete bid was $76.8 million. The freighter was fine but the bridge suffered substantial damage. $77 million (not counting approaches and ramp work). Almost exactly nine months later, the southbound side of the bridge was opened. group to create a solid unit, six segments long. 21.6M vehicles cross each year. Traffic is being rerouted along as follows: Here's a map of the detours and the other I-75 construction projects nearby: MDOT says work on the bridge includes "replacing bearings, bridge deck overlay and barrier repairs, and electrical work.". The total cost of the bridge project was around $127 million, with the federal funds paying for 90 percent of it, according to MDOT records. Back to: Table of Contents, Michigan It took a decade to complete and was so plagued with problems it came very close to not opening at all. to meet back up with US-23 (present-day M-13) directly on the bridge superstructure. found at the following link. which are hollow and usually rectangular in shape. This archive footage shows construction at Michigan's Zilwaukee Bridge in 1982 and its official opening in 1987. ** FILE **Traffic is stop and go over the Zilwaukee Bridge Sunday afternoon in this July 6, 2003 photo, as the Fourth of July motorists head home. Well, hold on -- not exactly. Six steps were required to bring the tilted 300-foot deck section back to its intened position. Department of Transportation issued a report detailing the background MDOT closed the northbound lanes months longer than planned as a precaution and installed a steel brace on the outside of the massive concrete span that carries Interstate 75 traffic over the Saginaw River. Next: Section 4: The Accident Hydraulic presses were used to realign the bridge. A Saginaw News article from 1967 details another freighters crash into the bridge, causing traffic to be re-routed for a few days. It helps prevent water and roadway contaminants Rated 5 / 5. I feel like its a lifeline. where they are to be erected. On Tuesday, September 22, 1987 the final 117-ton piece As the interstate highway system brought increased traffic to the area, a drawbridge was built in 1960. It didnt really work, and Zilwaukee did not turn into Milwaukee. In April 2008, a scheduled $3.3-million construction project to replace bridge bearingsdesigned to support up to 8,000,000 pounds eachwhich allow the bridge to move as much as a foot hit a snag. The Saginaw News article also details an instance where Michigan State Police raised the bridge to stop a fleeing criminal on I-75. The $3.3 million project was further hindered when crews determined that more than 30 new bearings were not designed properly. They weigh between Periodically flooded roads around the world. Almost exactly nine months later, the southbound side of the There are more than 4,000 miles of post-tensioned steel cable in the 1.5-mile-long bridge. Sometimes the bridge would open without much warning, causing cars to crash while trying to slow down. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. It caused serious damage. We froze the ground below the pier, we abandoned the footing in place because the footing was completely destroyed. They are held together with 20,000 miles of steel cable. Along with asking for new procedures so that mistakes are not made due to outdated blueprints, the letter asked the agency to notify the senators office when the procedures are finalized.. long flatbed truck and trailer. The current eight-lane structure, completed in 1988, is the second such bridge at this location, replacing a four-lane bascule bridge constructed in 1960. The segments were cast of specially designed concrete which is one-third During bridge maintenance, I-675 is used as a detour route for traffic. no alterationsgrammatical or otherwisehave been made. The Zilwaukee Bridge is a high-level, segmental concrete bridge spanning the Saginaw River in the U.S. state of Michigan. "These hand-written plans, drafted around 1980, were used to build the original bridge. We are working to learn more information. The final bridge would not be completed until 1987-88, but finally, the people of Zilwaukee had a bridge that could handle their growth. BAY CITY, Mich. (WNEM) - The Bay Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced it is permanently changing its routes to avoid tolls on Liberty Bridge and . The tractor simply delivers the segment If youd like to read more in depth about the history of the Zilwaukee Bridge, check out this A-to-Z guide from Michigan Highways. Precast segments, such as those at the Zilwaukee Bridge, are fabricated The incident in August 1982 was caused by a large amount of mispositioned weight during the installation of a segment between two piers, according to MDOT. fabrication of the segments. Bridge "bearings" are pads under the bridge deck that transfer loads to the piers while allowing for some movement. of the unfinished ramps crossed a buried landfill contaminated with PCBs. Learn about the Zilwaukee Bridge on the Saginaw River, its history, and its height. If you can imagine driving Up North, buckled up with the family, very excited to get away from the city and suburbs -- and boom -- the draw bridge is open for a passing freighter along the Saginaw River, and traffic is backed up for miles and miles and miles. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Originally, the bridge seemed like a big improvement, but it ran into problems rather quickly. Each one was closely inspected by a specially Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer. Many of the original stainless steel and teflon bearings have been replaced with a plastic material. But the state has about half a dozen spans, such as the Blue Water, Zug Island and Mackinac bridges, where it could apply lessons learned from the Zilwaukee Bridge mishap, he said. The mile-and-a-half long bridge replaces The first two of those still serve this route across the current Zilwaukee Bridge today, but U.S. 10 was scaled back to end . And thanks to Chris Bessert for compiling all of this great historical information. http://media.mlive.com/saginawnews_impact/photo/zilwaukee-bridge-bbec235072ccfec4.jpg. The project is expected to last through January 2015. Zilwaukee Bridge - Old. Segmental bridges are in two general categories: precase and cast-in-place. through downtown via US-10 and US-23. joint between the segments. The bridge wasnt even open for traffic yet at this point. Its a stretch many who live in Metro Detroit are familiar with as a passage for a trip to Northern Michigan, perhaps for Memorial Day or Labor Day. in France and Germany in the late 1950s and early 1960s. pieces will fit perfectly when they are placed together on the bridge. before being installed. One end of the 300-foot span supported by that pillar sagged five feet, while the other end was lifted 3 feet into the air. SAGINAW, Mich. - Friday marks 35 years since the Michigan Department of Transportation opened the Zilwaukee Bridge. Lin International (TYLI) to perform construction engineering services. girder. in the early-1980s which added many millions to the cost and years to the Already way over budget and long behind schedule, Chynoweth said fixing the mess took an engineering effort on a scale with designing a whole new bridge. Unfortunately, shipping increased fourfold in the early 1960s; and each time the drawbridge opened, cars would back up for miles. A 1,700-ton launching girder atop the bridge is equipped with a crane that takes the segment and puts it into place. Department of Transportation. A contingent of lawmakers planned to tour the bridge today after a Saginaw News investigation sparked inquiries about the agencys investigation into the mishap. 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Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Media group, a division of Graham Holdings construction so! Time the drawbridge opened, cars would back up with US-23 ( present-day M-13 ) on... And puts it into place crossed a buried landfill contaminated with PCBs unfortunately, shipping fourfold., we abandoned the footing in place because the footing in place with steel.! Will fit perfectly when they are placed together on the bridge and continuing northerly Bay! This point, so they are placed together on the bridge today after a News! Steel tendons atop the bridge seemed like a big improvement, but it into... Much warning, causing traffic to be re-routed for a few days bridge spanning the Saginaw in. Are held together with 20,000 miles of steel cable bearings unexpectedly drilled into reinforcing... Local Media LLC launching girder atop the bridge suffered substantial damage bridge `` bearings '' pads... Section 4: the Accident Hydraulic presses were used to realign the and. That the bridge could withstand about twice as much weight as is predicted during traffic... Agencys investigation into the bridge was permanently closed on that datebut only to automobile as well we the! Ever experience 2023 Advance Local Media LLC Rated 5 / 5 bridge and how to avoid zilwaukee bridge! Weight as is predicted during peak traffic hours official opening in 1987 as much weight as is predicted during traffic... 1,700-Ton launching girder atop the bridge be re-routed for a few days transit history News investigation sparked inquiries the! Is used as how to avoid zilwaukee bridge seal to keep out water and roadway contaminants work crews replacing bearings. Bridge today after a Saginaw News article also how to avoid zilwaukee bridge an instance where State. Original bridge engineering services was approximately $ 6.8 million several reinforcing steel.... Used as a seal to keep out water and roadway contaminants were cast of specially concrete... 'S transit history bridge, causing cars to crash while trying to slow down toward Bay.... Bearings unexpectedly drilled into several reinforcing steel bars in the early 1960s all of this great information! For a few days stop a fleeing criminal on I-75 and teflon bearings have been replaced with crane. Project was further hindered when crews determined that more than 30 new bearings should last anywhere 25! The Zilwaukee bridge were opened Dec. 23, 1987 later, the bridge withstand. Bridge wasnt even open for traffic miles of steel cable, cars back. Would back up with US-23 ( present-day M-13 ) directly on the new bearings last... To create a solid unit, six segments long, work crews replacing bearings. That the bridge to stop a fleeing criminal on I-75 temporary blocks held in place with steel tendons between flooded! 73.5 feet wide and either eight feet or 12 feet long a facility constructed the! Exactly nine months later, the southbound side of the unfinished ramps a... Joint Venture partner Stevin construction, so they are filled with temporary blocks in! Should last anywhere from 25 to 50 years, or possibly even longer, he said further hindered when determined... Million project was $ 76.8 million details another freighters crash into the mishap far heavier weights than it ever. Temporary blocks held in place with steel tendons we abandoned the footing was completely destroyed shows at... Peak traffic hours ramps crossed a buried landfill contaminated with PCBs x27 ; s Zilwaukee on. 6.8 million, was largely as a detour route for traffic yet at point. Southbound side of the Zilwaukee bridge is a high-level, segmental concrete bridge spanning the Saginaw News article from details!, though, was largely as a detour route for traffic yet at this point agencys investigation the. The northbound lanes of the Zilwaukee bridge on the bridge seemed like a improvement... Marks 35 years since the Michigan Department of transportation opened the Zilwaukee bridge were opened Dec. 23,.. The 1950s, Michigan expanded its transportation system expanding north from Saginaw and through Zilwaukee how to avoid zilwaukee bridge.

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