Nov 04, 2020Philo Bridge Opens
On October16, 2020 a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the site of the new replacement bridge connecting the Village of Philo with Duncan Falls in Muskingum County, OH. The new structure has been named the Lt. Michael J. Lutz Memorial Bridge. The existing 809’ long multiple span steel truss bridge, that spans over the Muskingum River, is being replaced with a new widened modern structure. The existing steel truss bridge maintained vital connectivity between Duncan Falls and the Village Philo for 67 years. ELR’s Feasibility Study and Structure Type Study evaluated several alignment options for the new river crossing as well as multiple bridge types. This bridge design project was on an accelerated design schedule due to the extremely poor condition of the existing structure which continued to carry traffic until the day the new bridge was opened. The ELR team worked with the Muskingum County Engineers Office and Ohio DOT District 5 on a first of its kind initiative process which involved acquiring right-of-way with federal funds prior to environmental clearance. This collaboration was successful in expediting the bridge design schedule so that the project construction could start one year ahead of the originally planned construction date. The proposed design alternatives evaluated utility impacts, right of way impacts, cost differences and an environmental analysis. The new bridge is a 7-span precast prestressed concrete I-beam design supported by wall type piers and abutments. The project construction features also included a new 114” culvert to maintain an existing inlet channel, the realignment of 770’ of approach roadway, a new traffic signal at SR-60 and Bridge St. and a parking/overlook dedicated region for the historic river lock area.
For more information regarding the old historic truss, please follow this link.
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