Prefabricated modular steel bridging provides temporary access in Lusk, Wyo.

Parsippany, N.J. — Acrow Bridge announced completion of installation of a temporary bridge in Lusk, Wyo. The 200-foot by 24-foot span replaced an overpass on U.S. Route 85 that collapsed onto railroad tracks as a result of heavy rains and flooding of the nearby Niobrara River in late June. The collapse created an immediate stop to the passage of daily Union Pacific Railroad freight trains as well as vehicular traffic on Route 85.

“In addition to the obvious need to get the project underway quickly in order to get the trains back in service was the pressure to get a temporary structure in place ahead of the traffic expected for the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, in early August,” said Tom Pinder, Acrow’s Western U.S. and Heavy Haul Sales Manager. “It was projected that 40 percent to 50 percent of the more than 1 million visitors to the event would travel through Lusk on Route 85, the main artery from both Interstates 80 and 25.”

Once enough data was gathered by the engineering team to proceed with a design and plan for installation, Acrow modular components, most already owned by the state of Wyoming, were mobilized to the site. (Additional components were purchased for the specifications of this very long span.) The Wyoming Department of Transportation began to cut back the original ramps and develop a grade profile for Acrow designers, however, the plans for installation were made more difficult owing to the grade difference from one side to the other. The bridge was assembled and installed by WYDOT employees and in place on July 22, with decking and approaches completed for its opening on July 25.

“The three-week turnaround time on this project proves that the modular design of Acrow bridges make them a perfect choice when rapid replacement is required,” said Bill Killeen, President and CEO of Acrow Bridge. “Because the state of Wyoming already maintained an inventory of our components, this bridge was able to be replaced quickly and in a cost-effective manner.”