WLC contracted with a large National Oil Company to provide hydraulic analysis, design, land surveying, permitting and construction contract administration on the Muddy Creek Bridge. This project was unique in that WLC also acted as the prime contractor in order to simplify the administration effort for the owner. The bridge provides access to oil well sites. This project included obtaining a Nationwide 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the WDEQ for temporary turbidity increase during construction. Due to the remote location of the site, WLC proposed to use a prefabricated bridge that could be hauled to the site in sections and erected with a mobile crane. The bridge is a single span of approximately 70’ with a 20’ width. The abutments are driven piles with prefabricated wing walls and back wall. The bridge is designed to exceed AASHTO HS 25 loading requirements due to the heavy loads used to support oil well drilling equipment. A hydraulic analysis using historic high flow rates in Muddy Creek provided the basis for channel grading and erosion protection design. The simplicity of the bridge design and ease of construction allowed the contractor to complete the bridge in approximately four weeks.
