In 2008, the Lowry Avenue Bridge was closed due to known structural issues with one of the piers, and was demolished in 2009. We were retained to perform a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and to conduct a geotechnical investigation for the proposed bridge reconstruction. Our Phase I ESA indicated several past and current environmental conditions, including numerous environmentally regulated facilities and sites potentially contaminated with petroleum substances. We completed a Response Action Plan/Construction Contingency Plan prior to bridge construction.
Our field crews conducted an extensive subsurface investigation, performing a number of borings from a barge-mounted drill rig and investigating soil conditions at the proposed pier locations. Because of the anticipated loads and soil conditions, we investigated dozens of driven pile and drilled shaft options. Due to site constraints, a force-pulse load test was conducted, a first for Hennepin County and the second performed in the state of Minnesota. Construction of the new Lowry Avenue Bridge was completed in 2012.
