Fairmont Bridge Replacement
70-Year-Old Bridge Replaced
Located on the dead-end Fairmont Street in Duluth’s Glen Avon neighborhood, old bridge L8516 had been in place for more than 70 years conveying Tischer Creek below Fairmont Street just downstream of Hartley Field. The 65-foot-long bridge was in poor condition due to corrosion and previous flood damage, and its load-posted status threatened the delivery of some basic services to residents.
Utility Construction
The City of Duluth turned to LHB to design a replacement solution that could achieve the project goals of providing a safe, structurally sound crossing while accommodating the myriad below ground utilities and still provide residents access to their homes during construction.
Temporary bypass road
To maintain residential access during construction, a temporary bypass was constructed prior to demolition of the old bridge and maintained in place until the opening of the new bridge to the public in the fall of 2020.
Setting One of the Beams
After considering several options, LHB settled on a 65-foot, single-span, prestressed beam bridge which greatly improved hydraulic capacity, reduced stream velocity, restored natural stream characteristics, and provided a sate and reliable public stream crossing with a 26-foot clear width.
Inside One of the Old Pipes
The old twin pipe arch structure posed an impediment to fish passage in the urban trout stream, and improving aquatic habitat was considered a top priority.
Stream Protection
Yellow sediment buffers protect the trout stream from runoff during construction.
Trout Swim under the New Bridge
The new bridge improved passage for fish and other aquatic life in Tischer Creek, an urban trout stream.
Utility construction
By precisely locating underground facilities, LHB was able to direct exact locations of driven piling in the field to avoid interfering with or damaging existing water, gas, and storm sewer lines.
Rebar prep
Concrete will be poured over the rebar to create the bridge’s deck.
