Bridge Gets Upgrade

by Krista Norton | March 12, 2020

Traveling south of Syracuse on highway 27, travelers can expect a few minutes delay due the one lane traffic on the bridge which crosses the Arkansas River, just outside the city limits. 

 According to Tim Nichols, District Construction Mentor, the traffic control lights were installed on March 4, and the project is expected to be completed mid-June.

Nichols explained they are replacing the pin and hanger joint system which allows expansion and contraction. This system was installed after the flood in 1965, which washed the south half of the bridge out.  “You can see under the bridge where it’s allowed to move,” said Nichols. 

Some may recall experiencing delays last summer, but the repairs were only temporary. At that time, a metal plate was installed over the joint to hold it so they had time to get a project design and let bids to fix the joint across the bridge. 

Topeka’s bridge crew has inspected these pin and hanger joints for several years. They are trying to upgrade this type of outdated system throughout the state, with another project of this kind on the river bridge south of Cimarron on highway 23. 

The crew will remove the pin and hanger joint system and replace it with a sliding plate, replacing the metal plate which was installed temporarily. This will entail removing about 20 foot of the deck, which will include the beams underneath, replacing the whole system, one side at a time. 

 “It’s a short area, but is an intense project,” said Nichols.   

 Tim Nichols does not expect delays in the project unless there is abundant rainfall which would slow or prevent the crew from working under the bridge, due to mud.  They will be building temporary piers which will hold the bridge deck while the they remove the 20 foot section. 

 Work underneath should not interfere with the recreational area for the Syracuse Sand Dune Park.  There will simply be a localized construction fence around one area, allowing access under the bridge. 

Nichols cautions people to be extra careful in the construction zone,  “There may be people walking across or moving about, and please do not run stoplights.” 

The lights are monitored by a central location in Montana, even on the weekends.  In addition, the local police department can log in to monitor the activity, check the function of the lights.

“We have had complaints already of people running the red lights,” said Nichols.  He explained the central location can go back into the log and catch violators.  Also, if people use the excuse, the light was not working, they can tell exactly when the lights change, and when the traffic crosses. 

This type of light system was used on the bridge repair projects west of town recently and during that project, there was an issue a few times. Nichols explains they can call the central location in Montana, they can log into the system and have it resolved within two to three minutes. 

In the event emergency vehicles need to cross the bridge, the central location can log in and make both lights red, allowing safe passage for emergency vehicles. 

One of the problems they have already faced is a wide load who did not observe the 10-foot width restriction. This scenario happened last weekend and the crew worked Monday, resetting the barrier walls which were pushed over about a foot. 

The barriers are now bolted to the deck so if someone attempts to get through and are over the 10-foot width restriction, they will get stuck on the bridge or sustain damage. “It is not uncommon for wide loads to approach the restricted area, thinking they can fit and have gotten wedged in and were unable to move!” said Nichols. 

The project will impact agriculture industry, because they will have to cross the river at Kendall or Coolidge, but Nichols says it should be in pretty good shape by harvest, if they can stay on schedule.