Location

• Hwy 61 Mississippi River crossing in Hastings

 

Schedule

• Began October 2010
• Two lanes of traffic switched to new bridge in 2013
• All four lanes open to traffic tentatively by the end of 2013, with construction completed spring 2014
  
  

Construction Cost

• $120 million
  
  

Traffic Impact

• The existing Hastings Bridge will remain open during construction of the new bridge

Main Span

The most noticeable component of the new Hastings Bridge will be the Main Span bridge with its two arch ribs. When complete, the Hastings Bridge will be the longest free-standing tied-arch bridge in North America.

 

Main Span

• Comprised of arches, girders, beams, stringers and roadway
• Length: 545 feet
• Width: 104 feet

Arches

• Comprised of steel arches and hanger assemblies
• Height of arch rib (at maximum): 94 feet
• Height of arches: varies from 6 feet to 8 feet 5 inches
• Width of arches: varies from 8 feet 4 inches to 9 feet 4 inches at the top; 6 feet wide at the bottom.

Roadway

• Poured-in-place concrete deck
• 90 feet wide (barrier to barrier)
• 4 lanes of traffic + 12 feet mixed use pedestrian and bike path

 

Arches
The arches play an important role in supporting the Main Span, but are not the only means of support. The wider at-the-top trapezoidal shape of the arches gives an elegant and sculptural form and allows for efficient illumination of the arch. They are held in place by post-tensioned concrete knuckles and tie girders.

Arches are a terra-cotta color, with tan superstructure and piers. Hanger assemblies – like the light poles and railings – will be silver.

 

 

Construction Process
The Main Span was built at the project’s Flint Hills Preserve staging area, near Lock and Dam #2. The arches and floor beams were built offsite and then delivered onsite as they were completed.

 

Crews completed the deck system (floor beams and stringers) first. Then, the arch ribs were built section by section (working from the middle out). A temporary tie girder was also constructed and formwork was put into place for the permanent tie girder.

 

In September 2012, the Main Span was lifted from its shoring towers and moved down to the river by self-propelled modular transports and placed on a flotilla of barges. The Main Span then was floated down the river and moved into its pre-lift location using a skid system. Finally, it was connected to hydraulic strand jacks that lifted the Main Span up approximately 50 feet, and crews secured the span between Piers 5 and 6.

 

Next crews will work on completing the concrete knuckles and tie girders, as well as post-tensioning the Main Span. The deck for the roadway will be poured in Spring 2013.