US 701 NB Bridge over Cape Fear River Elizabethtown

Carpenter,Kristi
From:Rerko, James J
Sent:Thursday, December 12, 2019 12:00 PM
To:Hair, Sarah E SAW ([e-mail]); Steenhuis, Joanne; Matthews, Monte
K SAW ([e-mail])
Cc:Price, Gregory W; Kendall, Steve D; Jordan, Blythe L; Cox, Drew; Marsh, William R
Subject:US 701 NB Bridge over Cape Fear River Elizabethtown
Attachments:Bladen Bridge 16 Bent 8 Rip Rap Berm and Rock Plating Output.pdf; Bladen Bridge 16
Bent 8 Rip Rap Berm and Rock Plating.pdf; US_701_Bridge_Repair_Survey.pdf
Liz / Joanne / Monte

I have attached a preliminary design of the rip-rap solution to the slope failure due to massive scour within the Cape
Fear River at Bridge 16 (US 701 NB) after Hurricane Florence. As you remember, the debris buildup at the interior bents
for Bridge 17 (US 701 SB) caused the Cape Fear River main flow to be diverted to the northern river bank. Concentrating
all of the river flow to the north side scoured out a large hole directly below the river side bents for bridges 16 and
17. The attached river survey shows the scour hole (Blue).

A quick geology lesson (Liz I know that you have some expertise in this matter). The scoured out portion of the Cape
Fear River has created a slip of the soil around a moment at the river bank. Without placing the rip-rap stone within the
river bottom to counteract the movement, the alluvial soil along the bank will continue to fail. The attachment, Rip Rap
Berm and Platting, depicts the repair designed by Michael Valiquette of ICE. The attachment, Rip Rap Berm and Platting
Output, shows the margin of safety which would be 1.54. With the placement of the Rip Rap (Class II capped off with
Class VII), the river bank and floodplain will be stabilized.

We meet all day Tuesday with 4 individual Bridge Contractors to develop a strategy to repair the traveling bridge
bent. It has been determined that the footer has shifted approximately 18” – 21” in the direction of the Cape Fear
River. Most likely sheering off the concrete pile beneath. The bent will need to be replaced. Several repairs are being
discussed, and a decision will be made quickly to design a solution and get a contractor on-board to complete the
repairs.

I do intend to submit a request via a PCN to get authorization of a NWP#3 to complete the above mentioned work
within and around the Cape Fear River as soon as designs are complete. Most likely, the designs will be piecemeal, i.e.
Rip Rap Stabilization then Bridge Bent Repair.

Please contact me if you should have any questions regarding this project.

James J. Rerko, PWS
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Engineer
North Carolina Department of Transportation

910 364-0834 office
910 486 1959 fax
[e-mail] Email

1000 Transportation Drive
Fayetteville, NC 28302

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