American Boulevard at 35W - Approach Ramp Repair

The project that built the bridge over 35W at American Blvd was constructed in 2004/2005 as a joint venture between the City and MnDOT.

The actual bridge portion of this project has retaining walls that lead up to the bridge, lets call the retaining walls and associated features the abutment area. For example, as you are driving along American Blvd, you progress from the normal roadway, up the abutment area, then onto the actual bridge, then back downward onto another abutment area, then back onto a normal roadway section.

Lightweight fill was used in the West abutment area to mitigate the weight of the abutment on neighboring properties - some of which have since been demolished. A settlement is occurring in the abutment area, not the bridge itself.

Soon after the West abutment was paved, cracks in the pavement were observed. The City started to survey the various parts of the bridge and West abutment to monitor the settlement. The lightweight fill is consolidating much more than expected. The rate of consolidation is now immeasurable on a monthly basis. The location of the settlement is between the retaining walls (not the walls or bridge themselves) and does not affect the structural capacity of the bridge. Structurally the bridge is sound.

A repair plan has been designed that will take place in April of 2008. In order to do the work appropriately, American Blvd will be closed for 2-4 weeks. Traffic will be detoured to 82nd Street during this time. Advanced signage will be placed out there before the detour takes place.

For more information, contact:

Shelly Pederson, City Engineer
1700 W. 98th Street
PH: 952-563-4870, FAX: 952-563-4868
E-mail: engineering@ci.bloomington.mn.us

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