Auburn Road Bridge over Becketts Run and Auburn Road at Wallen Road Roundabout
Allen County, IN
The Auburn Road project included design services for a bridge replacement and adjacent intersection and path improvements. The replacement structure is a three span reinforced concrete slab with an overall length of 91 feet, and a typical section including two 12 ft. lanes and two 12 ft. multi-use pathways. Integral pile end bents were incorporated into the design to reduce long term maintenance costs for the County. Early and extensive coordination was performed between Clark Dietz and IDEM, USACE and IDNR to realign Becketts Run upstream of the bridge, resulting in a shorter bridge and less construction cost for the County, while also meeting stringent permitting agency requirements for minimized stream impacts.
Further reducing project costs, the bridge width was minimized by converting the adjacent signalized intersection at Wallen Road to a single lane roundabout. The roundabout intersection reduced the bridge width by 24 feet due to elimination of turn lanes, further helping to contain project costs and reduce permitting impacts. With a nearby school, residential areas, and a soccer facility, the project involved extensive public coordination to address the pedestrian movements and aesthetic considerations.
The final project result was an aesthetically pleasing bridge and roundabout that provided safe usage for motorists and pedestrians, while also keeping a close eye on construction and maintenance costs.