HEB Engineers

Frozen in Time

2012-02-16T09:52:00.002-05:00

Stark Covered Bridge in Winter

We are in the middle of winterand the Upper Ammonoosuc River is completely frozen in the area of the historiccovered bridge, but the recent warm weather is making us long for spring.

The Stark Covered Bridge wasrecently featured in an article in the Coos County Democrat.

http://www.newhampshirelakesandmountains.com/Articles-Coos-County-Democrat-c-2012-02-14-155667.113119-HEB-Engineers-chosen-as-Covered-Bridge-project-consultant.html

On Wednesday, Jason Ross (project manager) metwith the Stark Selectmen and NHDOT project manager, C.R. Willeke, to discuss thestatus of the project. The Selectmen signed a municipal agreement withNHDOT that outlines the Town’s responsibilities. HEB has been givenpermission to proceed with the historical documentation of the bridge, thestructural assessment, and the engineering study which will investigate severalrehabilitation options. We would appreciate feedback, so don’t forgetabout the public input meeting on scheduled for 02/29/12.

Loon Mountain Bridge Public Input Session #1 Recap

2012-02-14T15:36:00.003-05:00

HEB and the Town of Lincoln held a public meeting on Monday, February 13, 2012 to discuss the history and project status of the Loon Mountain Bridge, and receive public input. Chris Fournier, P.E., HEB project manager, presented several rehabilitation alternatives and took questions from the audience. Presentation documents: agenda, bridge profile, bridge plan

Questions raised during the meeting and HEB's responses are outlined below:

Q1: Does the FEMA and NHDOT funding vary whenconsidering the rehabilitation versus replacement alternatives?

A1: Yes, it may. It gets complicated. The FEMAPublic Assistance program provides 75% reimbursement for all costs to repairthe damage “in-kind” (meaning back to the way it was). The FEMA PublicAssistance Hazard Mitigation program provide 75% reimbursement to fund theimprovement of the repairs to mitigate future hazards. This fundingmechanism generally is limited at a match of the initial Public Assistancefunding; however, there is an opportunity to exceed this limit by proving thatthe benefits outweigh the costs. Benefits in this case are calculatedusing a FEMA application that considers past damage, loss of business if thebridge is closed, as well as the detour efforts. The NHDOT State AidBridge (SAB) program has committed to reimburse 80% of the costs remainingafter FEMA has paid their portion. Ideally this would leave the Town witha 5% share of the total project cost.

Q2: Would the lane configuration of the currentbridge (3 lanes and one sidewalk) be the same for the new bridge alternate?

A2: Yes. No one has expressed interest in any otherconfiguration; therefore the study is moving forward assuming the existing laneconfiguration.

Q3: Was a downstream location considered for the newbridge alternate?

A3: Yes, both an upstream and downstream locationhave been considered and have been ruled out at this point for a variety ofreasons. The preferred relocation for the new bridge, if this alternative is selected, is directlyadjacent to the existing bridge.

Q4: Does the new bridge alternate consider raisingthe bridge to alleviate issues with high water?

A4: No, during Tropical Storm Irene the water wasreported to be only within 5 feet of the existing bridge structure. Thebridge failure occurred because of scouring beneath the north abutment. In addition, the approaches on either end of the bridge are very close to thebridge and do not facilitate much elevation change.

Q5: Is it true that the NHDOT prefers that a newbridge be built?

A5: No, NHDOT requested that the new bridgealternate be studied to determine whether a new bridge would be more costeffective than rehabilitating the existing bridge.

Q6: Will the utilities be relocated beneath the bridgeas they were prior to the storm?

A6: Yes, all alternatives consider relocating theutilities beneath the bridge structure.

Q7: What is the condition of the remaining portion ofthe existing bridge? What repairs need to be made?

A7: The existing bridge spans are in good condition. However, we recommend repairs be made. The expansion joints between thespans have failed and caused water damage. The repairs would includereplacing the expansion joints; replacing some bearings; replacing somediaphragms; repainting a portion of the steel beams; and concrete deckrepairs as needed.

Q8: Why is the Town voting on funding the project atthis Town meeting and not the next Town meeting (2013) if the engineering studyisn’t complete and construction isn’t starting until spring 2013?

A8: If a bridge rehabilitation alternate is selected,the new steel beams will take 4-5 months from order to delivery. In order to be ready to construct in the spring, the beams must beordered during the winter and consequently the contract must be signed with thebridge contractor before that point. The Town must appropriate thefunds for construction prior to signing a contract (December 2012).

Public Input Session for Loon Mountain Bridge

2012-02-13T11:21:00.003-05:00

The Town of Lincoln and HEB Engineers will be holding a public meeting to tonight at 5:30pm at the Lincoln Town Hall (148 Main Street, Lincoln, NH) to gain input on the permanent rehabilitation of the Loon Mountain Bridge.

Stark Covered Bridge Public Input Session

2012-02-08T09:58:00.000-05:00

The Stark Board of Selectmen and HEB Engineers willhost a public input meeting for the Stark Covered Bridge Rehabilitation projecton Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 7:00 pm at the Stark Town Hall. The meeting will include a brief presentationabout the bridge and the current project status. All interested parties are encouraged to attend.

Surveying the bridge, Nov. 2011

HEB Selected for Loon Mountain Bridge Study

2012-02-07T14:38:00.001-05:00

Our Structural Group is currently working with the Town of Lincoln, NH, to prepare an engineering study for a permanent rehabilitation of the Loon Mountain Bridge, severely damaged during Tropical Storm Irene. HEB assisted in emergency repair design and construction administration during the fall of 2011, reopening to vehicle traffic prior to the Loon Mountain winter ski season.

Historic Stark Covered Bridge

2011-09-12T15:07:00.000-04:00

HEB was recently selected for the historic Stark Covered Bridge rehabilitation project. The bridge is a popular New England icon and HEB is currently finalizing project scope with the Town of Stark. Funding for the project will be through the NHDOT Municipal Managed Bridge Program and a Federal Highways historic bridge grant. Design is expected to begin fall 2011 and construction is anticipated in spring/summer 2012. For news of the project, visit the Berlin Daily Sun.

Hurricane Irene Assistance

2011-09-07T09:41:00.000-04:00

HEB Engineers has been working with North Country municipalities and state agencies to assist in recovery efforts due to Hurricane Irene. Our civil and structural engineers have been working since August 29th to provide emergency assessments and temporary repair solutions in flood damaged areas, including the Loon Mountain Bridge in Lincoln, multiple areas of concern in Bartlett and Gorham, NH, and several damaged bridges in Rockingham, VT. We are working with clients to develop action plans and coordinate with state and federal agencies.

Please contact Josh McAllister or Ed Bergeron at (603) 356-6936, or email info@hebengineers.com for damage assistance for bridges, roadways, riverbanks, municipal infrastructure and private residences. We're here to help!

Roadway Damage, Bartlett, NH

Loon Mtn Bridge, Lincoln, NH