Jeremiah Morrow Bridge - Replacement of The Jeremiah Morrow Bridge

Replacement of The Jeremiah Morrow Bridge

In July 2010, a 6-year project to replace the bridge began with the beginning phases of access roads to the gorge being constructed. A groundbreaking ceremony took place on Aug. 2, 2010.

The new bridge design will involve a segmental concrete box girder, with 440-foot (130 m) main span, perched on concrete piers anchored in the river valley. The design was selected for its constructability, low cost and aesthetics. Each structure will measure 2,240 feet (680 m) in length and 55 feet (17 m) in width. Each structure’s six spans will range in length from 270 feet (82 m) to 440 feet (130 m) to 229 feet (70 m), and pier height will range from 60 to 220 feet (67 m). Each structure will be marked for three lanes and wide shoulders; width would permit reconfiguration of span for four lanes and shoulders for any future widening of I-71. Construction is managed by Omnipro Services, LLC and will involve four phases:

1. Preparatory work beneath the existing twin steel deck-truss bridges

2. Construction of the southbound structure between the existing north and southbound spans.

3. Move northbound traffic onto new structure, followed by demolition of existing northbound bridge and construction of new northbound structure in its place.

4. Move traffic into its final configuration - northbound traffic onto new northbound bridge and southbound traffic onto new southbound bridge, with demolition of existing southbound bridge to follow.

Throughout construction, two lanes of traffic in each direction will be maintained. However, there will be some night time lane closures during phase II. The estimated amount of concrete to be used in the project is approximately 58,000 cubic yards