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 Lake Mendota, 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. To complicate matters, water from an upstream culvert replacement project on CTH M was being diverted at the same time. The CTH M project was designed by KL and construction oversight was provided by WisDOT. Therefore, KL was able to expedite the design and construction of the Willow Road Culvert Replacement project to align staging and traffic control with the nearby CTH M project. KL coordinated with the contractor and WisDOT oversight engineers to manage water flow on both projects. This careful coordination and alignment of staging for both projects significantly reduced disruptions and improved 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.
