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Cleanup begins on bridge approach
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| Illinois Department of Transportation crews clean off the westbound lanes of the U.S. Highway 136 approach to the Hamilton-Keokuk Bridge Monday, while eastbound traffic flows on the elevated eastbound lanes. As Mississippi River floodwaters recede, IDOT will clear gravel from the entire approach and restore access to all four lanes. |
By Cindy Iutzi/Gate City Staff Writer
HAMILTON, Ill. - As Mississippi River flood waters subside, so will the elevated rock road that commuters have been using to cross the Keokuk-Hamilton Bridge for nine adventurous days.
A joint project of W.L. Miller Company, Hamilton, and the Illinois Department of Transportation, the temporary road rose just inches ahead of the flood, with layer upon layer of rock and gravel added 24 hours a day, day after day, to keep up with the rising water.
“We've hauled somewhere between 25,000 and 30,000 tons of rock,” said Louis Haasis, Illinois DOT operations engineer. “I'd guess it was closer to 30,000.”
The U.S. Highway 136 bridge approach began its transformation Friday, June 13, with IDOT crews placing concrete barriers along the median. Load after load of road rock in all sizes - four-inch, two-inch and road rock (gravel) - were dumped, spread and packed to gain height and reduce worrisome soft spots.
A week ago today, the river crested at 26.94 feet in Keokuk, nearly 11 feet above the 16-foot flood stage. Small waves in the muddy water slapped the elevated road's barriers and broke into small flumes of spray.
Today, the National Weather Service said the river at Keokuk was at 23.87 feet and falling, almost eight feet above flood stage.
Water had almost cleared from the westbound bridge approach early this morning, and IDOT crews will continue moving rock out of those lanes. Monday dump trucks and a front end loader were in standing water. As they worked today the water had receded from all but a few inches along the north edge of the outside lane.
“Wednesday we'll clean the (westbound) roadway and have traffic on there late Wednesday or early Thursday,” Haasis said.
As soon as the traffic is diverted from the elevated eastbound lanes onto the westbound lanes, the massive rock removal job will begin.
Haasis said some of the rock will be hauled to storage nearby and some has been requested by the City of Hamilton and Keokuk Junction Railway. The rock has been checked by the Illinois Environmental Agency and is cleared for almost any use, including construction.
“We've already paid for it, and if we have to haul it too far, it will cost a fortune,” Haasis said.
The cost of building the emergency road in Hamilton has not been determined, but the excessive amounts of mixed size road rock and hours of manpower will add up.
Road rock runs from $8.25 to $8.75 per ton; two-inch rock ranges from $7.75 to $9 per ton; and four-inch rock starts at $7.75 per ton.
IDOT still has some of the rock that was used in the Flood of 1993 in storage.
Haasis said eastbound traffic may experience delays while rock is being removed from the eastbound lanes.
The amount of erosion the flood will leave behind remains to be seen; as the river level goes down, damage to river banks, boat access areas, structures, streets and railways will be revealed.
“Hopefully, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we'll know more,” Haasis added.
Any sand that has been used will stay on the levees. Sandbags will be cut and poured in place or can be taken to landfills. Sand that has come into contact with the river likely is contaminated and should not be used in sandboxes or in other places children play.
A joint project of W.L. Miller Company, Hamilton, and the Illinois Department of Transportation, the temporary road rose just inches ahead of the flood, with layer upon layer of rock and gravel added 24 hours a day, day after day, to keep up with the rising water.
“We've hauled somewhere between 25,000 and 30,000 tons of rock,” said Louis Haasis, Illinois DOT operations engineer. “I'd guess it was closer to 30,000.”
The U.S. Highway 136 bridge approach began its transformation Friday, June 13, with IDOT crews placing concrete barriers along the median. Load after load of road rock in all sizes - four-inch, two-inch and road rock (gravel) - were dumped, spread and packed to gain height and reduce worrisome soft spots.
A week ago today, the river crested at 26.94 feet in Keokuk, nearly 11 feet above the 16-foot flood stage. Small waves in the muddy water slapped the elevated road's barriers and broke into small flumes of spray.
Today, the National Weather Service said the river at Keokuk was at 23.87 feet and falling, almost eight feet above flood stage.
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“Wednesday we'll clean the (westbound) roadway and have traffic on there late Wednesday or early Thursday,” Haasis said.
As soon as the traffic is diverted from the elevated eastbound lanes onto the westbound lanes, the massive rock removal job will begin.
Haasis said some of the rock will be hauled to storage nearby and some has been requested by the City of Hamilton and Keokuk Junction Railway. The rock has been checked by the Illinois Environmental Agency and is cleared for almost any use, including construction.
“We've already paid for it, and if we have to haul it too far, it will cost a fortune,” Haasis said.
The cost of building the emergency road in Hamilton has not been determined, but the excessive amounts of mixed size road rock and hours of manpower will add up.
Road rock runs from $8.25 to $8.75 per ton; two-inch rock ranges from $7.75 to $9 per ton; and four-inch rock starts at $7.75 per ton.
IDOT still has some of the rock that was used in the Flood of 1993 in storage.
Haasis said eastbound traffic may experience delays while rock is being removed from the eastbound lanes.
The amount of erosion the flood will leave behind remains to be seen; as the river level goes down, damage to river banks, boat access areas, structures, streets and railways will be revealed.
“Hopefully, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we'll know more,” Haasis added.
Any sand that has been used will stay on the levees. Sandbags will be cut and poured in place or can be taken to landfills. Sand that has come into contact with the river likely is contaminated and should not be used in sandboxes or in other places children play.
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