http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/leo-frigo-bridge-closed-report-of-dip-in-the-road
More on this as it becomes available.
:wow:
We drove over this on Saturday.
Mike
Why are they routing the detour through the city? Is the construction on US-41 too extensive to simply use US-41 to WI-172?
From the looks of this, it will not be reopening for a while. One of the support piers away from its tied-arch span settled (footing undermine?) and along with that pier, that part of the bridge will have to be cut out and replaced. Look for this rebuild project to be a roadgeek meet feature next spring.
As for detouring I-43 traffic through the city, my guess is yes on not using US(I)-41. There are a lot of complex lane shifts on US(I)-41 right now in the part just south of I-43. Also, traffic on I-43 is not as heavy as it is on US(I)-41 and the city streets are able to handle it.
We'll see in a couple of weeks though, with the scheduled Lions@Packers game and the majority of that game's tickets being held by Milwaukeeans. I-43 is a popular 'go around' route for those fans.
Mike
Yep, we drove on the bridge and did not see any problems on it and they just did extensive rehab on it. But the failure had nothing to do with the rehab. Got second-hand info that the footings did not reach bedrock when the bridge was built.
Another facebook photo: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151682870911295&set=a.205697631294.132544.70657021294&type=1&theater
(posted in bridges forum too)
And WisDOT shut off the cameras from 511wi.gov that pointed to the bridge. :rolleyes:
Not at all the same cause, but this situation is very reminiscent of the partial collapse of the Hoan bridge in Milwaukee many years ago.
Not a bridge inspector but aren't their tools to determine if the footings go into the bedrock after they were built? If not why wasn't the Wisconsin Department of Transportation inspecting it as it was built?
^ In theory, how deep the footings go should be noted on the red lined plans from when the bridge was built, and the depth of bedrock should be known from soil borings done before the bridge was built. If the pier was resting on a spread footing (versus using piles or drilled shafts), it may have been designed to stop short of bedrock, especially if the local soil is rather strong.
Didn't something like this happen to 23 over 41 in Fond du Lac a few years ago?
Woah, dude!
A pier sunk 3 feet? That ain't good!
Based on what I know about the geology of the area, I actually wouldn't expect most of the piers on this bridge to reach bedrock. I-43 spans the Fox River over a former estuary which itself sits over old lake beds. That means alternating layers of silt, sand, gravel and clay. It is likely a couple hundred feet to bedrock. Perhaps after a few decades of gradual settling through sand and gravel, the footing for this pier finally slipped into that clay layer?
It has me concerned that the entire span is in need of deeper pilings. Not sure what the retrofit for that would be. I have to assume the footings for the arch segment are much deeper than the approach spans (where this failure occurred). So perhaps the more expensive portion will be okay.
Pretty rotten timing though. With the soon-to-be I-41 expansion in full swing, the primary alternative for thru traffic is a little whack right now. Sucks for game days this season.
Superficially, especially from the prospective of the driver, this is similar to the problem the Hoan Bridge experienced in Milwaukee back in 2000. In that case, though, it was a cracked girder that caused the roadway (NB only) to sag. Similar location though; immediately adjacent to the main span. Unlike the Hoan, however, routine bridge inspections wouldn't pick up on something like this.
Even the bridges that aren't supposed to be in danger of falling down are in danger of falling down!
/sarcasm
Here is the photo linked to above:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv704%2Fpackerfan386%2F1238352_10151682870911295_736837637_n_zps0efc1367.jpg&hash=c9525e671d98c53951e5c42e7e4c5d42b9132ec6)
Green Bay Press-Gazette Facebook site
Too many Packers fans eating Cheese Curds I guess.
The Thursday afternoon news conference update:
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/new-details-expected-in-leo-frigo-investigation
Raw of the news conference itself:
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/online-extra-leo-frigo-bridge-update
A little something - Big Rig Steve posted video of a drive over this bridge back in July of 2012, shot while he was on his way to deliver a load in Marinette, WI.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fesg5hVyKc
The failure occurred at about 12:30 in that clip, right before the arch span.
Mike
Just to make things more interesting:
Petroleum pipeline lies 12 feet from sunken pier
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/petroleum-pipeline-lies-12-feet-from-sunken-pier
Also....
Combating detour traffic woes
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/combating-detour-traffic-woes
Exclusive Video of the last car across the bridge.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYlBy85zxdo
Quote from: JREwing78 on September 30, 2013, 09:42:49 PM
Just to make things more interesting:
Petroleum pipeline lies 12 feet from sunken pier
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/petroleum-pipeline-lies-12-feet-from-sunken-pier
The same pipeline company had a big leak/environmental disaster in the Jackson Marsh area in Washington County about a year ago. I can't help but wonder if a leaky pipe contributed to the bridge pier sinking?
We're expecting a news conference update Thursday, and a media tour of the work being done.
Quote from: Fox 11 News on October 02, 2013, 09:55:07 AM
We're expecting a news conference update Thursday, and a media tour of the work being done.
http://www.us41wisconsin.gov/flex/AlertLeoFrigoDayNewsConferencenumber3.1296
Note on the bottom line that in order to take media tour, you have to get under Leo Frigo's widow. - "Media should gather in the parking lot underneath the Leo Frigo
Bride on the north side of North Quincy Street." :spin: :crazy:
Quote from: Big John on October 02, 2013, 02:56:47 PM
Quote from: Fox 11 News on October 02, 2013, 09:55:07 AM
We're expecting a news conference update Thursday, and a media tour of the work being done.
http://www.us41wisconsin.gov/flex/AlertLeoFrigoDayNewsConferencenumber3.1296
Note on the bottom line that in order to take media tour, you have to get under Leo Frigo's widow. - "Media should gather in the parking lot underneath the Leo Frigo Bride on the north side of North Quincy Street." :spin: :crazy:
Leo was a pretty old guy. I'm not sure that's something I would be interested in.
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/dot-corrosion-caused-dip-in-leo-frigo-bridge
WisDOT dug around that pier and found buckling of the footings and said there was corrosion of the footings at that pier, caused by bad soil infill and movement of the groundwater table.
Also found similar footing corrosion in 3 surrounding piers, where the soil was similar.
So is the thought that they will replace the piers in question, and rebuild the deck over those piers?
Quote from: SEWIGuy on October 03, 2013, 02:05:39 PM
So is the thought that they will replace the piers in question, and rebuild the deck over those piers?
Either that or drive new pilings that would not be susceptible to such corrosion next to the existing piers and retrofit new foundations around them.
This could get expensive as other piers are inspected.
Mike
A few notes in today's wires.
-The failed pier has settled some more over the past couple of days, about 10-15 mm/0.5 in, possibly due to loss of lateral support from crews digging around it.
-Temporary structures will be installed to help support the failed pier, this should be completed within a week or so.
-The FHWA has approved federal funding for repairs, now estimated to cost about $50M.
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/further-sinking-detected-in-leo-frigo-bridge
Mike
Frigo isn't a primary game day route, especially for the gold/Milwaukee ticket games, but few problems reported Sunday due to the bridge
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/fox-cities/drivers-heed-game-day-traffic-warnings
Work on stabilizing the failed section of the bridge will begin on Monday, 2013-10-14, with Lunda Construction getting the contract. Although not mentioned in this article, the contract is for a little bit either side of $1.5M.
http://on.wtmj.com/1bMlgls
Also, check out the slideshow on this link, lots of interesting images.
Mike
Quote from: mgk920 on October 11, 2013, 10:04:12 PM
Work on stabilizing the failed section of the bridge will begin on Monday, 2013-10-14, with Lunda Construction getting the contract. Although not mentioned in this article, the contract is for a little bit either side of $1.5M.
http://on.wtmj.com/1bMlgls
Also, check out the slideshow on this link, lots of interesting images.
Mike
WisDOT has a brief update on their news page, with a larger version of the rough schematics shown in the WTMJ slideshow: Work started to stabilize Leo Frigo (I-43) Bridge (http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/opencms/export/nr/modules/news/news_4274.html_786229440.html)
bridge stabilization work continues:
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/leo-frigo-bridge-stabilization-continues
'Seven piers will likely be replaced' - this is more extensive than I was imagining. Even fast-tracked, it will be a while before this crossing is back up.
Mike
I'm actually a bit surprised it's only seven piers.
Quote from: JREwing78 on October 17, 2013, 09:27:22 PM
I'm actually a bit surprised it's only seven piers.
I appears it is only in the area of the corrosive soil infill.
Sorry for the short notice.
DOT news conference at 10am, Tuesday Oct. 22. It will be streamed live at www.fox11online.com
WisDOT is letting a bid for bridge repair next Tuesday, with a deadline for repairs to be completed by mid January.
Plans call for new shafts around 5 damaged piers and jacking up and stablizing the sunken pier.
Watch archived version of news conference here:
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/extended-video-leo-frigo-bridge-news-conference-october-22-2013
Story here:
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/dot-wants-to-reopen-leo-frigo-bridge-in-january
That's very encouraging that WisDOT thinks they can bang out the repairs in just 3 months.
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/opencms/export/nr/modules/news/news_4295.html_786229440.html (http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/opencms/export/nr/modules/news/news_4295.html_786229440.html)
Good to know. I should be in GB over the holidays to catch a Packer game and I'll have to check out the repairs while I'm in town. Seems like an interesting engineering challenge.
I agree, it will be interesting, indeed, to see WisDOT pull this off. It sounds like they will be attempting to replace or augment all of the failed foundations and then jack everything back into place.
Mike
bids have been received:
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/cost-of-repair-work-to-leo-frigo-bridge-expected-today
I think it's great that they want to get the repairs done ASAP! Not too many state DOT's are that ambitious nowadays...
I'm still somewhat surprised that the sagged section of the bridge was deemed to be in good enough condition to be used again with just being jacked back into place.
:nod:
Mike
Confirmed that Zenith Tech will do the work.
Latest DOT release:
Governor Walker approves Leo Frigo Bridge improvements
Work on Green Bay bridge set to begin Friday, November 1
Governor Scott Walker has approved $7.7 million to repair the Leo Frigo Bridge. A bridge pier sank two feet on September 25, causing the deck to sag closing the bridge. The bridge is expected to reopen in January 2014.
The contractor is Zenith Tech, Waukesha, WI.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) engineers earlier announced that Pier 22 sank as the result of corrosion to the pier's pilings due to the unique soil conditions surrounding them. These same conditions are found from Pier 21 to 25 and all of these piers will be repaired.
Plans call for new drilled shafts to be installed at the bases of the five piers, protected from the corrosive conditions that exist and connected to the pier footings. The deck at Pier 22 will then be jacked back into place and supports installed.
^^
Does this mean that 'Pier 22' (the sunken one) will be repaired 'in place', with its structure to then be extended upward to meet the deck as restored into its proper place?
Interesting.
:nod:
Mike
Yes. As we understand it, the existing five piers in corrosive soil will remain in place. New supports will be built around it, with these extending into the bedrock - which the current ones don't. The top section will be protected by PVC pipe.
As for 22, it will remain in place. At the top of the pier - imagine the bridge was made of Legos, for a moment - some extra Lego pieces will be installed between the top of the pier to 'jack up' the bridge deck to put it in proper alignment.
on schedule so far:
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/leo-frigo-bridge-repairs-on-schedule
DOT update:
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/dot-leo-frigo-to-reopen-in-45-days
I have to say, it's pretty impressive how quickly they're getting those repairs done!
The boosting of the sinking pier has started:
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/leo-frigo-bridge-getting-a-boost-today
A full-fledged media update planned for Thursday.
Cool time-lapse of the sag being lifted back into place:
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/time-lapse-video-of-leo-frigo-bridge-boost
Story on Thursday's media update:
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/leo-frigo-bridge-elevated
Guess I'm not going to see it in person. Had to cancel my planned attendance of that Packer game today due to work stuff. By the time I make it Green Bay again, the repairs should be done.
Bridge to re-open this Sunday
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/gov-scott-walker-tours-leo-frigo-bridge-talks-repairs
That's awesome news! It won't radically alter Packers game traffic, but general traffic in Green Bay should flow more smoothly as a result.
Good timing on the completion. One less headache for disappointed fans.
(If only Mica Hyde was 1 inch taller!)
coverage of first day open:
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/leo-frigo-bridge-finally-opens-12-days-ahead-of-schedule
Traffic counts are down on the Frigo Bridge:
http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/traffic-numbers-down-for-leo-frigo-bridge
A media tour of the site planned for today has been pushed back to next week.
The media tour planned for 4.22 has been postponed again. No new date
Media tour now set for 5/2...
and the update:
http://fox11online.com/2014/05/02/work-continues-on-leo-frigo-bridge/
Bumping for a new bump was found on the bridge causing an emergency freeway closure. Bridge inspectors can't yet find a cause for this.
edit: crews are downplaying it. https://fox11online.com/news/local/incident-closes-interstate-43-at-leo-frigo-bridge-in-green-bay
Brown County Sheriff just tweeted that it will be closed for an extended period of time due to "buckling."
https://twitter.com/sheriffbc/status/1466570928582762499?s=20
I guess we will see in the next day or so.
Reopened: http://nixle.us/D9MPP
Sounds like the bridge was closed as a precaution, fortunately no structural issues where found by WisDOT.