KL Engineering completed the design of the replacement of the Lake Mendota Drive timber bridge over a multi-use trail for the Village of Shorewood Hills in Dane County, WI. The existing timber structure, constructed in 1964, is an iconic feature within the Village.
Throughout an extensive public outreach process, we worked with the Village Department of Public Works, Village Board, and many involved residents to identify the type of replacement structure that best fits the historic neighborhood. Many residents wanted to maintain the rustic look and feel of the existing bridge, and a three-span timber deck panel structure was selected. The proposed structure captures the historic feel for users of the multi-use trail through the timber piers and concrete substructure with stone formliner and concrete staining.
Significant coordination occurred with WisDOT to achieve the Village’s needs. It was important to the Village that the narrow roadway width through the structure was maintained as this provides traffic calming on the residential roadway. We worked with WisDOT to get approval for this variation to standards. A pedestrian walkway was provided on both sides of the bridge, which is a key safety improvement over the existing conditions. We also worked closely with WisDOT Bureau of Structures to develop plan details and special provisions for the nontraditional prefabricated timber structure.
The project was constructed in 2023 and stained in spring of 2024.
