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North National Avenue Bridge rehab project starts
Work began Monday to rehabilitate the vintage 1933 bridge over the Marmaton River on North National Avenue.
The city of Fort Scott is working with Wildcat Concrete Construction of Topeka on the project to fix the old span, which has sustained structural damage over the years and continues to see many motorists. Issues to be addressed include failing concrete on the deck and concrete supports that are beginning to crack on the sides. Other problems include exposed structural steel and damage to the deck expansion joints.
The contractor has put up traffic signals to control the flow of motorists across the bridge for the duration of the project, which will take an estimated three months to complete. These signals are activated automatically by traffic, a news release said.
"There will be certain periods of time it (the bridge) will be shut off for a short amount of time," Assistant City Manager Susan Brown said. "We will try to keep it open to traffic."
In January, the Fort Scott City Commission approved the rehabilitation project after watching a presentation on damage to the bridge and hearing a report from Public Works Director Eric Bailey.
Bailey said Monday workers will be completing "preventative maintenance and repairing some areas on the bridge." All project work will be completed by the contractor.
The city received two bids for the venture and commissioners approved the low bid of $397,725 from Wildcat Concrete Construction. Bond money has been appropriated for the project and money to pay back the bonds issued will come from the city's special streets and highways fund, Brown said.
Total project cost after design, preliminary design and engineering costs have been estimated at $443,725, she said. Commissioners in January approved a contract for construction engineering services for the project with Professional Engineering Consultants, P.A., of Pittsburg.
The bridge is one of two local spans that were in question after being checked by the Kansas Department of Transportation.
Another span, the Mill Creek Bridge built in 1927, located south of Max's Way Station and east of Walnut Hill, has been closed since late last year.
Commissioners chose to keep it closed to vehicle traffic during a March meeting, because it would be too costly to repair.
They elected in January to move forward with the North National bridge project as it sees more traffic and will cost less to fix.
Questions about the project can be directed to City Hall at (620) 223-0550.