Jefferson Avenue Footbridge Engineering Assessment & Cost Estimate

Springfield, MO

The Jefferson Avenue Footbridge was built in 1902 and is on the National Register of
Historic Places. This structure is a cantilever truss structure and is one of the only
structures of its kind that is a pedestrian bridge. The structure underwent a thorough
structural inspection and numerous areas were identified for requiring rehabilitation. In
the report, it was stated that, One of every three primary members (36.4%) do not have
adequate capacity and need repaired or strengthened. Original plan exist, but extensive
repairs over the past 115 years are undocumented.

Recent tests by the Federal Highway Administration have attempted, with some
apparent success, to identify paint systems that are superior, in terms of cost per decade
of protection, to the standard urethane on epoxy mastic on organic zinc system. It is
suggested that these be investigated to potentially use a more effective and lower cost
paint system. Regardless of the paint system, removing the lead-based paint entirely
would reduce costs of all future repairs and painting. Also, by applying the new
protective system to the freshly cleaned and roughened steel, instead of rust and old
paint, a more protective and longer lasting paint system can be observed.

This report, prepared by Great River Engineering, outlines the cost of several options
that include removing the structure completely. In general, the rehabilitation options were
listed as a roughly $2.8 million initial investment with $8-$17 million in in cumulative
costs over the next 80 years. The replaced structure was listed as costing $3 million in
initial investment totaling to $8 million in cumulative cost.

It should be noted, the report prepared by Great River Engineering emphasized

cumulative costs in future dollars instead of the cumulative costs in the present value of
future work. The preservation option is much more competitive when almost 90 years of
compounding inflation is taken out of the equation. The present values are also shown in
the report, but that should be the guiding cost when determining whether or not to
replace a structure. One other note is that the report states that new paint systems last
30 years; however, the cost includes painting every 24 years, which ultimately would
reduce the cost of maintenance.

On May 2, 2017, VS Engineering met with Great River Engineering to discuss the
structure and methodology of work to date. In this meeting, VS Engineering made
several recommendations to Great River Engineering that have been successful
alternatives in the past:

1. Steel Strength Do not use the default strengths of steel outlined in the design
specifications. Instead, take several (at least 3; however, 4 or 5 recommended)
pieces of steel and have them structurally tested. In VSs experience, testing the
actual bridge material has always shown a higher strength than the default
values in the AASHTO specifications. By using these expected higher strength
values, fewer members will be rated as deficient.

Indianapolis Fort Wayne Evansville Bloomington

4275 North High School Rd 10305-A Dawsons Creek Blvd. 203 Main Street, Suite 102 120 W. 7th Street, Suite 306
Indianapolis, IN 46254 Fort Wayne, IN 46825 Evansville, IN 47708 Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: 317.293.3542 Phone: 260.489.6635 Phone: 812.401.0303 Phone: 812.332.5944
www.vsengineering.com
 2. Live Load As this bridge experiences much lower pedestrian loads than what
is required for design, make wider railings (and therefore, the walkway narrower)
so the design live load can be reduced. With the level of traffic on this structure, a
narrower useable walkway would not cause congestion issues but would still
result in a lower design load; which, in turn, would reduce calculated loads on the
members.

3. ADA Criteria Due to the lack of ADA accessible connecting infrastructure,

(sidewalks and curb ramps) we cannot see this bridge being a through route for
mobility impaired people in the foreseeable future. This is coupled with very
significant construction, maintenance and right-of-way costs associated with the
ramps. ADA ramps would need to be over 400 feet long to achieve the ADA
maximum allowable grade of 5%. Therefore, we do not recommend making this
bridge ADA accessible as part of the current rehabilitation.

Several general requirements were discussed to lengthen the life the structure as well:

1. It is good practice to ensure the foundations are not buried in soil. When the soil
gets wet, it holds water against the steel and deteriorates the members at an
exponential rate. VS recommends excavating down to expose the foundations
and allow them to remain dry.

Added value that VS Engineering could provide with our extensive depth of knowledge
and experience with these types of historic structures such as:

1. VS has developed many specialized details over the years that are both
economical and effective. Building this experience to know what works and what
is less effective takes many years.

2. Using carefully designed retrofits to stop the lateral bowing that has occurred in
one of the piers and resist future bowing as well.

3. Experienced decisions should be made regarding which deficient members to

repair and which to replace. This is dependent on member-specific deterioration
and therefore only generalities can be given here.

The following page includes a detailed cost estimate of the anticipated costs to reopen
the structure. This was prepared using Great River Engineerings report and making
assumptions as previously mentioned to reduce costs. The repair costs here are based
on VS Engineering experience with steel bridge rehabilitation, our May 2 inspection, and
on the expectation that metal testing, potentially minor narrowing of walkway
(approximately 4) can reduce the 36.4% of deficient members to about half of that
number.

Indianapolis Fort Wayne Evansville Bloomington

4275 North High School Rd 10305-A Dawsons Creek Blvd. 203 Main Street, Suite 102 120 W. 7th Street, Suite 306
Indianapolis, IN 46254 Fort Wayne, IN 46825 Evansville, IN 47708 Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: 317.293.3542 Phone: 260.489.6635 Phone: 812.401.0303 Phone: 812.332.5944
www.vsengineering.com
 If VS Engineering is included in future work, we will be able to refine this estimate with a
more thorough investigation of the existing reports and structural models.

Given the uniqueness of this structure and its great character, VS Engineering and the
personnel involved feel fortunate to be a part of this project and would welcome the
opportunity to be continually involved in the restoration of this historic structure.

Sincerely,

Daniel J. Kurdziel, PE , MBA James A. Barker, PE

Bridge Department Manager Chief Structural Engineer

Indianapolis Fort Wayne Evansville Bloomington

4275 North High School Rd 10305-A Dawsons Creek Blvd. 203 Main Street, Suite 102 120 W. 7th Street, Suite 306
Indianapolis, IN 46254 Fort Wayne, IN 46825 Evansville, IN 47708 Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: 317.293.3542 Phone: 260.489.6635 Phone: 812.401.0303 Phone: 812.332.5944
www.vsengineering.com
 EXHIBIT A Construction & Engineering Cost Estimate

Jefferson Ave. Footbridge Cost Estimate (VS Engineering, Inc.)

Deck Removal & Replacement $50,000
All Structural Steel Repairs $450,000
ADA Approach Ramps $0
Clean and Paint Steel Bridge $600,000
Site work $75,000
Railroad Cost for Flagger $175,000

Base Total $1,350,000

Mobilization (7%) $94,500
Contingency (15%) $202,500
Construction
Total $1,647,000
Engineering Fees (12%) $197,640

Grand Total $1,844,640

Indianapolis Fort Wayne Evansville Bloomington

4275 North High School Rd 10305-A Dawsons Creek Blvd. 203 Main Street, Suite 102 120 W. 7th Street, Suite 306
Indianapolis, IN 46254 Fort Wayne, IN 46825 Evansville, IN 47708 Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: 317.293.3542 Phone: 260.489.6635 Phone: 812.401.0303 Phone: 812.332.5944
www.vsengineering.com