Modjeski and Masters to rehab two Michigan bascule bridges

Mechanicsburg, Pa. — Bridge design and engineering firm Modjeski and Masters will perform engineering services necessary for rehabilitation of two bascule bridges crossing the St. Joseph River in southwest Michigan. The work on the Blossomland (M-63) and the Bicentennial (I-94BL) bridges will help keep both vehicular and marine traffic flowing smoothly across the St. Joseph River in the Benton Harbor and St. Joseph areas.

Modjeski and Masters will provide mechanical, electrical and structural engineering services for the movable and fixed spans of both bridges. Coordination between the owner, public, local stakeholders and permitting agencies (including the U.S. Coast Guard) is critical to the success of the project and is a specialty of Modjeski and Masters.

“These projects showcase our expertise in bascule bridges,” said Michael F. Britt, PE, senior vice president and director of business development at Modjeski and Masters. “Movable structures present many different and unique challenges when compared to fixed bridge design and construction. We have a proven history of solving these challenges and creating comprehensive solutions that keep these bridges operational with minimal disruption to vehicular and marine traffic.”

The original Blossomland Bridge is located in St. Joseph, Mich., and carries M-63 across the St. Joseph River. It was built in 1948 and has a total length of approximately 713 feet. Its main span is a Scherzer double-leaf rolling bascule. The six approach spans consist of steel multi-girder cross sections. It carries four lanes of traffic across its 44-foot width.

The 570-foot Bicentennial Bridge carries I-94 across the St. Joseph in Benton Harbor, Mich. Built in 1976, its main span is a hydro-mechanically driven Scherzer double-leaf bascule with four approach spans consisting of steel multi-girder and steel girder-floorbeam-stringer cross sections. At 60 feet curb-to-curb, it accommodates four lanes of vehicular traffic.

For additional information about Modjeski and Masters’ movable bridge capabilities, visit www.modjeski.com/Services/detail.aspx?service=MovableBridges.