Published: January 06, 2009 10:48 pm      

Prefab bridges will save time and money

CATLETTSBURG — County officials aiming to minimize the amount of time county roads are shut for bridge replacement say they will now opt for prefabricated concrete bridges instead of wooden ones.

The bridges, manufactured by an Ironton company, are also expected to save the county a substantial amount of money, according to Judge-Executive William “Bud” Stevens and county Road Supervisor Mike Smallridge.

Stevens said the concrete bridges cost approximately one quarter of that of the wooden bridges. In addition to the cost being substantially lower, he said, the prefabricated bridges can be put into place much quicker than the wooden bridges.

The bridges are essentially a large concrete culvert set into place in the creek bed by a large crane and the roadway constructed over it, Smallridge said. The culverts are designed to be the exact size as the creek bed so as not to disrupt its flow, he said.

By prefabricating the bridge to the exact dimensions needed and setting it, the replacement time for the bridge is cut down significantly. The wooden bridges could take three weeks to install while the concrete bridge could take as little as three days to complete, Smallridge said.

The first bridge to be replaced will be the Golden Gate bridge off Whites Creek followed by the bridge at Paddle Creek if officials are satisfied with the new bridge. The cost to replace the Golden Gate bridge, including its placement, is $12,000 while the Paddle Creek bridge is estimated at $7,000.

Smallridge said the current bridges at both locations are concrete and are in bad shape. At least two other bridges, one on Midland Trail and another near the former Cooksey Brothers Landfill, also need replaced soon, he said.

CARRIE STAMBAUGH can be reached at cstambaugh@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.