Benton Street bridge getting fixed up
Being 50-years-old isn’t easy for a bridge, so it’s time for a fix-up.
Pocatello plans to undergo a rehabilitation project for Benton Street bridge’s substructure, particularly work with the bridge’s columns. The project is estimated to cost $4.2 million and the city plans to use federal funds for the majority of the bill.
“Like with any concrete structure, you’re going to have corrosion and deterioration,” said Pocatello’s senior engineer Jeff Mansfield. “It’s time we address it so the bridge can serve us in well in the future.”
Mansfield said the Idaho Transportation determined the bridge needed rehabilitation during it’s annual infrastructure inspections. If you get a chance to walk by the columns, you’ll notice markings showing where defective concrete is on the columns.
Right now, the plan is to repair the columns’ underground footings, reinforce the concrete with carbon fiber and install a corrosion protection system. This would be done by using the cathodic protection method, which involves drilling and putting an electrode called anodes in the columns.
By doing that, it takes away the adverse reaction often caused by old concrete mixing with new concrete. Ultimately, allowing the concrete to last longer.
The project is set to start in 2017 and when it does start traffic will be reduced to one lane both ways on the bridge. One sidewalk will be open for pedestrians to cross the bridge on foot.
Mansfield admits it could cause people a headache, but it’s worth it.
“If we don’t maintain our infrastructure it’s just going to continue to deteriorate. Eventually it could collapse or get to a point where it’s not usable,” he said.
A problem with the project is the proximity of Union Pacific Railroad tracks. Since they’re so close, it could make the project go longer.
The city will be hosting an open house for the public to see the project’s plan in-detail on March 10 at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Besides city officials, representatives from design contractor CH2M will be there as well.
