Beloit Powerhouse Riverwalk
Zenith Tech (ZTI), a Walbec Group company, was the prime contractor for the construction of a 450-foot pedestrian bridge over the Rock River in Beloit, Wisconsin. This bridge runs adjacent to the Beloit College Powerhouse, a student union and athletic facility on the campus.
PROJECT CHALLENGES
- Extremely limited site access prevented conventional delivery of materials and heavy equipment required for the project.
- A temporary tramway bridge was required to launch heavy equipment onto barges while minimizing impact to the sensitive waterway environment.
- Pedestrian bridge was located in close proximity to historic powerhouse as well as a newly constructed expansion; maintaining safe working conditions for pile driving and setting box girders was required to protect the buildings.
- High water levels, a strong river current, and a work zone directly above an operating power generating dam presented unique working conditions.
WALBEC SOLUTION
- A significant amount of work was performed from a barge and a temporary tramway bridge was designed and built by ZTI to load the crane onto the barge. A mobile work platform allowed crews to safely work from the river.
- Bathymetric surveying of the river was completed to ensure the temporary tramway cleared buried utilities and minimized impact to the streambed. The survey also verified work barges could navigate safely.
- Innovative in-house engineering allowed flexibility for the team to begin setting beams in an area of the river that was safe before the water level and current decreased.
- Post-tensioning work associated with erecting the box beams was self-performed by ZTI.
- Decorative fencing installation on the bridge structure was self-performed by ZTI.
- Coordination among stakeholders including the general contractor working on The Powerhouse renovation, WisDOT, Beloit College, and other subcontractors.
