KL Engineering replaced a deteriorating bridge with a prefabricated Contech metal arch culvert, providing a safer and more durable solution. The new culvert increased the clear zone, added beam guard for protection, and widened the roadway in a cost-effective manner.
Because the culvert was installed near a lake, the design required careful environmental protections. KL incorporated measures to maintain fish passage and safeguard aquatic habitats. The culvert was set one foot below the natural streambed so sediment could refill the base and restore a natural channel, and additional precautions prevented silt from reaching the lake during construction.
Dewatering was required to place the culvert, and KL coordinated with stakeholders to manage water flow since an upstream culvert replacement by another firm was being diverted at the same time. The team also expedited design and construction to align staging and traffic control with a nearby KL-led project, reducing disruptions and improving efficiency.
When the KL team discovered a water main beneath the proposed culvert location, they quickly adapted the design to avoid conflict, demonstrating both technical skill and cost-effective problem-solving.
KL provided full project services, including civil design, traffic control plans, bidding documents, technical specifications, and Hydrologic and Hydraulic (H&H) modeling. The team also secured floodplain and wetland permits in coordination with the DNR and the client. Following design and permitting, KL supported the project through bidding and construction.
