US 8 (Rat River Culvert)

design

WisDOT is proposing to replace the existing structure along US 8 that carries the Rat River below US 8. The primary purpose of this project is to replace the deteriorating structure and replace it with a new bridge structure to ensure long-term crossing over the Rat River along US 8. The need for the project is to improve structural, operational and safety deficiencies. The existing timber substructure is reaching the end of its service life and needs to be repaired due to signs of decay, section loss and displacement. The steel deck girder has been deemed in poor condition based on recent inspection. Operationally, the structure has a substandard clear width of 31.7 feet. WisDOT Facilities Development Manual (FDM) reflects a minimum requirement of 36 feet for the prescribed roadway classification and traffic volume for US 8 at the Rat River crossing. The existing guardrail systems that attach to the existing structure railing and the metal railing itself do not meet current design standards. Proposed improvements include: Replacing the existing culvert structure C-21-50 with a new concrete girder bridge that spans the river wide enough to include aquatic organism passages below the US 814-foot wide, barrier separated crossing for a future shared-use path, or ATV/UTV path on northsideNew guardrail systems that meet current design standardsNew Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) pavement on each side of the structureSubstructure will be wide enough to accommodate a future barrier separated share-use path or an ATV/UTV trail crossing on southside