Lawson-Fisher Associates

Bridges and Structures

U.S. 24 over Tippecanoe River Major Bridge Replacement
Monticello (White County), Indiana

LFA was selected by the Indiana Department of Transportation to design the bridge replacement and additional road improvements on U.S. 24 in White County. Major features include designing a new 5-span, 478 ft. replacement bridge, realigning U.S. 24 toward the north to correct an existing east bank roadway curve, sidewalks, decorative street lighting and other pertinent intersection improvements.

Through Monticello U.S. 24 is the main connection across the Tippecanoe River. Part of the project’s requirements was ensuring that the project’s Maintenance of Traffic plan minimized impacts to both the City of Monticello and the significant over-the-road truck traffic on U.S. 24. This was accomplished by establishing a proposed work sequence that minimizes the impacts to the existing bridge through construction.

Olive Road Bridge over The Indiana Toll Road
St. Joseph County, Indiana

In the Olive Road Bridge Project, Design Engineer Lawson-Fisher Associates collaborated with the ITR, the City of South Bend and St. Joseph County to design one of the first “Gateway Structures” on the overall corridor. This structure serves as an entrance to the “Golden Dome” region for eastbound travelers on the ITR. The gentle curves of the main steel plate girders and the smooth transitions of the steel and concrete railing above are meant to be reminders of some of the architecture in the South Bend and Mishawaka area. Along with its strikingly unique and attractive design, the bridge is serving its structural function without exception. Users and observers alike have indicated that the bridge is serving its beautification role beyond expectations.

Mishawaka Riverwalk - Phases I, II, and III
City of Mishawaka, Indiana

The Mishawaka Riverwalk Phase I project consisted of the design and construction inspection of a new landscaped walkway system that extended nearly 2,000 feet along the St. Joseph River near downtown Mishawaka. The handicapped accessible walkway connected two adjacent parks with a new user-friendly system of sidewalks, overlooks and stairs within a few feet of the River’s edge. The walkway is part of a system that provides easy pedestrian access to all areas of downtown while allowing the users to be close to nature along the landscaped and wooded trail.

LFA designed all the Civil and Structural components consisting of major stream bank reconstruction, erosion protection and significant retaining walls and structures. Other members of our design team assisted with the necessary landscaping and electrical requirements. We also coordinated collaboration with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Environmental Management and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to accomplish the City’s goal as part of their downtown revitalization along with the permitting agencies’ goals of environmental protection and sustainable, long-term wildlife habitat.

Phases II and III of the Riverwalk Project consisted of the design and inspection of walkways connecting parks on the South Side of the St. Joseph River and a major signature pedestrian bridge over the river. The bridge is a two span cable stayed bridge that is visible from all areas of downtown. Nearly all of both sides of the St. Joseph River is accessible to pedestrians in the downtown Mishawaka area.

U.S. 24 over Marsh Ditch
Allen County, Indiana

Construction of a new alignment for U.S. 24 between the Indiana-Ohio State Line and Fort Wayne, Indiana has been a high profile project within the State. As one of the leaders within this project, Lawson-Fisher Associates P.C. designed and prepared construction documents for twin single-span bridges that carry U.S. 24 over Marsh Ditch. Pre-stressed concrete bulb-tee beams were selected for their ability to span the crossing of more than one-hundred feet without the need for an interior support.

West 6th Road/Lilac Road over U.S. 31
Marshall County, Indiana

In 2008, Lawson-Fisher Associates P.C. performed the design and prepared construction documents for a new 2-span bridge over U.S. 31. The new bridge will satisfy an important objective of the State’s corridor improvements for U.S. 31 by replacing an at-grade intersection. The curved superstructure is supported by chorded pre-stressed concrete bulb-tee beams. Mechanically Stabilized Earth abutments provide aesthetic value to the site while adding to the cost-effectiveness of the project.

Plymouth-Goshen Trail over U.S. 31
Marshall County, Indiana

In 2008, Lawson-Fisher Associates designed and prepared construction documents for a two-span bridge that carries Plymouth-Goshen Trail over U.S. 31. The 124’-6” span lengths are long enough to accommodate future U.S. 31 improvements that are currently in the planning stage. This portion of U.S. 31 is on a curved horizontal alignment. The bridge features steel plate girders with 62-inch web plates. A concrete wall pier and Mechanically Stabilized Earth abutments serve as the substructures for the bridge. To match other steel bridges within the county and Town of Plymouth, a red color was selected for the bridge girders.

Elm Road Bridge over Lateral No. 5
St. Joseph County, Indiana

Elm Road crosses Lateral No. 5 in the southern portion of St. Joseph County as it serves the rural population in that area. In 1999, Lawson-Fisher Associates performed the design and prepared construction documents for a replacement bridge at this location. With the assistance of Federal Funding, the bridge was replaced and is now servicing the residents in that area.

Patterson Road Bridge over Lehman/Birk Ditch
St. Joseph County, Indiana

In 1997, Lawson-Fisher Associates assisted St. Joseph County officials in designing a new structure for the failing bridge on Patterson Road, east of Wyatt. A three-sided precast concrete structure was selected and constructed at this rural site. By incorporating precast concrete wing walls and site grading around the structure, a pleasant transition was achieved in this rural portion of St. Joseph County.

Klintz Road Bridge over Juday Creek
St. Joseph County, Indiana

Juday Creek remains one of the more pristine small waterways that traverse through the northern portions of St. Joseph County in Indiana. In collaboration with the County and State officials, Lawson-Fisher Associates prepared construction documents that resulted in the replacement of the aging Kintz Road Bridge with a new culvert in 1996. Coordination with adjacent property owners, IDNR officials and the County resulted in a new structure that was pleasing to all parties.

U.S. 24 over Viland Ditch
Allen County, Indiana

Construction of a new alignment for U.S. 24 between the Indiana-Ohio state line and Fort Wayne, Indiana has been a high profile project within the State. As one of the leaders within this project, Lawson-Fisher Associates designed and prepared construction documents for twin single-span bridges that carry U.S. 24 over Viland Ditch. The U.S. 24 alignment is on a horizontal curve at the bridge location. To simplify construction, the bridge width was chosen such that the bridges could be constructed tangent to the horizontal curve. The prestressed concrete bulb-tee beams are 5’-6” tall and were selected for their ability to span the crossing of more than one hundred feet without the need for an interior support. Integral end bents were utilized on this project to eliminate bridge deck joints. The end bents are supported on 12” steel H-piles driven to bedrock. Due to the high volume of truck traffic on U.S. 24, concrete barrier rail with a 3’-9” height was constructed on both bridges.

Plymouth-Goshen Trail over U.S. 31
Marshall County, Indiana

In 2008, Lawson-Fisher Associates performed the design and prepared construction documents for a new 2-span bridge over U.S. 31. The new bridge will satisfy an important objective of the State’s corridor improvements for U.S. 31 by replacing an at-grade intersection. The steel plate girders have 62” web plates and will span 124’-6”. At the request the Marshall County officials, the steel plate girders will be painted to match other steel beam bridges within the county. The interior support for the bridge is a concrete wall pier. Mechanically Stabilized Earth abutments provide aesthetic value to the site while adding to the cost-effectiveness of the project. Due to the large skew of the bridge relative to U.S. 31, conventional end bents will be constructed. The steel plate girders are supported on elastomeric bearing pads at the end bents and on a steel shoe at the interior support. The bridge substructures will be supported on steel H-piles.

State Road 101 over U.S. 24
Allen County, Indiana

This bridge is at the western end of the U.S. 24 Fort to Port, Phase 4 project. The bridge is part of the new interchange at State Road 101 and U.S. 24. In collaboration with INDOT officials, Lawson-Fisher Associates designed and prepared construction documents for this 2-span bulb-tee superstructure over the new U.S. 24 divided highway. The prestressed concrete bulb-tee beams are 5’-6” tall and will span 101’-0”. Aesthetic and cost-effective considerations lead to the selection of Mechanically Stabilized Earth abutments for this bridge. Integral end bents will be constructed for this bridge to eliminate bridge deck joints. The interior support for the bridge will be a 5-column frame bent with a crashwall. The substructures for this bridge will be supported on 12” steel H-piles driven to bedrock. The beams will be supported on elastomeric bearing pads at the interior support.

Kamm Island Bridge
City of Mishawaka, Indiana

The Kamm Island Vehicular Bridge serves as the only vehicular connection to the latest recreational area being developed by the City of Mishawaka, Kamm Island. Although this 70-feet long by 13-feet wide prefabricated bridge is primarily used by pedestrians and other non-motorized traffic, it was designed to accommodate the occasional emergency, full-sized and various construction or specialized park equipment. It provides access from the 100 Center Complex to Kamm Island. The bridge now ties into the extensive riverwalk system throughout the area.