Project Profile

Houghton County’s “Father’s Day Flood”, M-203 at Swedetown Creek, a case study of a successful response and making the best of a bad situation.

RUIN

Father’s Day, June 18, 2018, the lives of Michigan’s Houghton County residents and stakeholders of its transportation system (Local, State and Federal) were changed overnight in an immeasurable way, not only immediately but for years to come, as the result of an unprecedented rain event. A deluge compared by meteorologists to other rain events not by the decade but rather by the millennium! (For more information of the Father’s Day Flood, please perform an internet search or for an excellent synopsis click on to Houghton County flood disaster (houghtoncountyroads.org). Included in the widespread devastation was the complete obliteration of a slab culvert on MDOT’s M-203 at Swedetown Creek. M-203 is a vital thoroughfare for not only residents, visitors, and commerce but for life saving responders as EMT, Fire, and Enforcement Agencies as well.

RESTORATION

MDOT management quickly assessed the M-203 at Swedetown Creek situation and determined for a replacement structure that a precast concrete flat-top 3-sided rectangular bridge of a 36’ span width and 8’ rise geometry would best meet the required required end area. Likewise it would have to meet MDOT’s HL 93 MOD (*1) loading criteria. MDOT incorporated an atypical procurement method of issuing a “materials only” bid while completing an “installation only” design and bid. This accelerated the project’s completion date by weeks if not months. Upper Peninsula Concrete Pipe Co., Inc. utilized the LowSpan design in its bid. It was awarded by the Department as the one product that met those specified attributes: the necessary end area geometry and the loading criteria (possible due to LowSpans prestressed top slab). Furthermore, it was necessary that the structure must be produced and shipped in compliance with the greatly accelerated procurement time specified. Cut to the chase, all the criteria was met and the mission was accomplished.

RESILENCY

“the ability to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to changing conditions and withstand, respond to, and recover rapidly from disruptions.”

- Federal Highway Administration Order 5520

MDOT as well as Houghton County’s Local Agencies foresight demanded that the restoration materials must meet the standards of being resilient to future disruptions. Precast and Prestressed concrete materials met those resiliency standards.