Plans to rehab Hino Boulevard bridge will require shut-down
Plans to rehab Hino Boulevard bridge will require shut-down
Closure expected to last 60 days
news@theeveningtimes.com
The plans to overhaul the Hino Boulevard bridge require a road closure. A representative from the inter-modal facility was on hand to hear details at technical meeting of the West Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Highway planners, city and county officials also attended the briefing by West Memphis City Engineer Phillip Sorrell during the quarterly meeting.
“Since we last met we’ve gotten the project programmed and project numbers,” said Sorrell. “We’ve hired Parsons Transportation Group to do the design engineering. We did not use any federal funds on that because of the time line.
We submitted 50 percent plan to AHTD for review and expect comment back from them on those any day.”
The City Engineer walked the committee through a time line from replying to AHTD comments to finalizing all paperwork requirements for State approval by Sept. 1.
The bridge, built over Fifteen- Mile Bayou on Hino Boulevard in 1998, needs a new top. The half-million dollar project draws funding mostly by the state, with West Memphis and Marion splitting the matching funds as the city limits run right down the yellow road stripe. The busy bridge carries truck traffic from a rail yard and some big businesses in the industrial
area.
MPO Study Director Eddie Brawley laid out the scope of work.
“They are going to rebuild the deck,” said MPO Study Director Eddie Brawley.
“The columns, the pilings are all in pretty good shape. They are replacing the decking with something that is a lot stronger.”
Working through the comment stage and into funding requires quick attention. A consultant was hired to help move the project along with the State. Sorrell indicated the process for Hino Bridge deck replacement was not too complicated.
“These are pretty simple plans,” said Sorrell. “All we are doing is replacing a deck. We are not getting into the channel so there are no environmental concerns. Information has been received by the historical information society. There is no utility relocation work. All other pieces are in place.”
Pending approval from AHTD work could begin in the next few months.
“The main thing is to get the funds obligated so we can begin later this year.”
Sorrell began meetings with business leaders in the area and had already revealed the details to Union Pacific.
“We’re meeting with the four affected businesses out there to explain the 60-day shutdown of the bridge,” said Sorrell. “I want to keep them abreast of our schedule and how it might impact their traffic,” said Sorrell. “Traffic will need to be rerouted down to Highway 64 or 147 and Interstate 40. We have a detour plan to do everything we can to minimize the four businesses out there.
That could happen in early 2017.”
“I was impressed with the rerouting said West Memphis Mayor Bill Johnson. “I thought it might have been more drastic.”
Speed bumps had been laid and speed limits were lowered to slow trucks to reduce the dynamic load impact on the bridge before construction. Brawley shared some good news for drivers.
“The speed bumps are coming off,” said Brawley.
“It’s a minor arterial; we can’t have that. We need to fix the bridge and make sure we have smooth approaches. That is what will save on wear and tear.”
By John Rech
