Baker Canal Bridge Replacement

• Client

  Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD)

• Division

  Engineering

• Scope

  Feasibility Study

• Completion

  June 2014

Selected by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) on State Project H.000698, Fenstermaker conducted a feasibility study to compare cost alternatives of reconstructing or replacing bridge structures over Baker Canal in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA. The canal runs north to south along sections of U.S. Hwy 61 and work was required to bring the bridges up to DOTD standards.

Fenstermaker’s Engineering team conducted an examination of the bridges and provided DOTD with cost comparisions. The project team assessed the preliminary and final engineering expenses for all bridge structures and roadway improvements. Upon review of the study results, DOTD and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) decided to replace the bridge structure and gave Fenstermaker’s engineering team the go ahead to finalize the plans. The final, comprehensive report included thorough evaluations for phased bridge replacements, drainage and geometric improvements, diversion of roads, pavement reconstruction and hydrologic analysis.

Fenstermaker coordinated with DOTD throughout the project in compliance with state requirements and delivered the following solutions for the Baker Canal Bridge Replacement:

• Design of geometric improvements for the median opening and exiting roadways
• Design of three 55-ft. span type II precast pre-stressed concrete (PPC) girder bridges
• Design of temporary and permanent erosion control devices
• Determination of water levels and discharge impacts using DOTD programs
• Competion of a hydrological plan for existing and design drainage conditions, including open-channel and subsurface drainage
• Organization and management of construction phases to mitigate traffic disruptions
• Preparation of a sequence for construction of corresponding diversion roads
• Preparation of construction quantities and cost estimates