Staff report
KANNAPOLIS ó Two bridges have been replaced in a city project and work on a third is moving forward, officials say.
Meanwhile, the city is awaiting word on federal funding to replace a culvert damaged by heavy rainfall.
Although not on major roads, the three bridges Kannapolis is replacing serve as connectors for local traffic.
The Mount Olivet Church Road bridge off South Cannon Boulevard has been completed and the roadway has reopened. And Pump Station Road off West C Street reopened Thursday, city officials said.
The Pump Station Road bridge has been closed for around eight months.
The town opted to put in box culverts to replace the deteriorated wooden bridges on Pump Station and Mount Olivet Church roads.
Kannapolis Public Works Director Wilmer Melton said the large cement structures are an upgrade from the bridges and are designed to handle more water.
The city is building a new bridge on Fairview Street off South Cannon Boulevard.
Melton said construction is on schedule, but a problem has developed in an adjacent section of McLain Road. The base of of the roadbed has a high water content, and that problem must be resolved before the bridge and road can be opened.
The project to replace the bridges has cost the town around $1.5 million. It’s the biggest bridge replacement project undertaken since the city was incorporated in 1985.
“It’s certainly not desirable to have three (bridges) out at one time,” Melton said.
While the three projects were underway, the remnants of Tropical Storm Faye put another project on the replacement list.
The culvert under 8th Street near the Rowan County recycling center sustained damage because of heavy rains. Water went under and around the existing culvert, damaging the road bed.
After an inspection, officials closed the street at the culvert.
Melton said the town is seeking $1.2 million from the federal stimulus package in Congress now to replace the culvert with a box culvert.
Melton said the depth of the culvert will be the major factor in the price. He estimated it is 25 feet or more below the road surface.
“More than likely, the 8th street (culvert replacement) is contingent on stimulus funding,” Melton said.
The city operates an inspection program, checking bridges and culverts on a regular schedule.
Melton said the city has five bridges that fall under the state monitoring program. The city has fewer than 20 larger structures ó pipes and culverts ó in its street system.