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Bridge needs $500K fix
  
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Flood-ravaged structure is weakened, but still safe
by ANELIA K. DIMITROVA, editor@waverlynewspapers.com
The floods of 2008 are more than just water under the bridge for Waverly.
The Railroad Trail Bridge will have to be added to the city's post-flood reconstruction plan, says City Engineer Mike Cherry.
A preliminary inspection report concludes that all five of the bridge's piers show significant undermining of the footing, but the cracks in the abutments and piers 1, 3, 4 and 5 do not present a problem for the structure's integrity.
"We do not believe there's an imminent danger, but we are concerned with further weakening of Pier 2," says Cherry.
The status of Pier 2 is a cause for concern, Cherry adds. According to the report, conducted by Mason City-based WHKS & Co., it has a vertical crack near the center of the pier and has bowed 3 inches towards the river.
Additionally, the vertical and horizontal cracking aligns with the mortar joints in the limestone blocks, further weakening the pier. Pier 4 shows the deepest area of undermining with approximately 10 feet of scour near the southeast corner. Cherry plans to present the report at the Aug. 25 City Council meeting.
The consultants noted that construction plans for the bridge were not available and they "could not be certain of the supporting mechanisms" for the pilings and pier footing.
The report recommends filling the scour holes underneath the piers and placing larger stone around the piers to prevent further damage.
Pier 2 will need special attention. The consultants recommend a new support system on each side of the pier, with steel reinforcements.
This solution may be unsightly, says Cherry.
"The best option may be to replace the pier with a new reinforced concrete pier that has a special mold, allowing the exterior to look like limestone blocks," he says.
The city plans to apply for FEMA funding to cover the $500,000 bill.
Waverly acquired the bridge in 1998 from Trains Unlimited, the company that ran the track and a dining train, for approximately $100,000, Cherry says.
In 1999, construction was under way to revamp the track into a trail, but the July flood interrupted crews. In October that year, the project was completed and the 500-foot long wood deck bridge became the centerpiece of the Waverly Rail Trail.
The Railroad Trail Bridge will have to be added to the city's post-flood reconstruction plan, says City Engineer Mike Cherry.
A preliminary inspection report concludes that all five of the bridge's piers show significant undermining of the footing, but the cracks in the abutments and piers 1, 3, 4 and 5 do not present a problem for the structure's integrity.
"We do not believe there's an imminent danger, but we are concerned with further weakening of Pier 2," says Cherry.
The status of Pier 2 is a cause for concern, Cherry adds. According to the report, conducted by Mason City-based WHKS & Co., it has a vertical crack near the center of the pier and has bowed 3 inches towards the river.
Additionally, the vertical and horizontal cracking aligns with the mortar joints in the limestone blocks, further weakening the pier. Pier 4 shows the deepest area of undermining with approximately 10 feet of scour near the southeast corner. Cherry plans to present the report at the Aug. 25 City Council meeting.
The consultants noted that construction plans for the bridge were not available and they "could not be certain of the supporting mechanisms" for the pilings and pier footing.
The report recommends filling the scour holes underneath the piers and placing larger stone around the piers to prevent further damage.
Pier 2 will need special attention. The consultants recommend a new support system on each side of the pier, with steel reinforcements.
This solution may be unsightly, says Cherry.
"The best option may be to replace the pier with a new reinforced concrete pier that has a special mold, allowing the exterior to look like limestone blocks," he says.
The city plans to apply for FEMA funding to cover the $500,000 bill.
Waverly acquired the bridge in 1998 from Trains Unlimited, the company that ran the track and a dining train, for approximately $100,000, Cherry says.
In 1999, construction was under way to revamp the track into a trail, but the July flood interrupted crews. In October that year, the project was completed and the 500-foot long wood deck bridge became the centerpiece of the Waverly Rail Trail.
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