Two bridges on Brandywine Drive and Blackberry Drive that crossover Brandywine Creek have been fully rehabilitated. It was initially thought that the bridges would need to be completely replaced, but the City worked to find a better, more cost-effective solution for repair.
If complete replacement had been needed, the project would have cost more than $2 million. Instead, City engineers found a way to stabilize the bridge footers and enhance the quality of the bridges. They also received federal funding for a large portion of the project, resulting in significant cost-savings for the City.
In addition to the footer stabilization, the project included installation of decorative railings, sidewalk replacement, pavement replacement on Brandywine Drive over the bridge, cementing the creek bottoms to protect the footers and improve hydraulic performance, removal of the stone veneer, and application of paint/stain to the existing concrete for a finished look.
Not only was the flow of the water improved and the bridges made structurally sound, but the cosmetic upgrade of the bridges has added character to the neighborhood. After a bit more landscaping work, the bridge projects will be complete.
To see photos of the new and improved bridges, visit the project page.