Churchill South Bridge Replacement

The pedestrian bridge located between Laurel Hill Way and Waterside Drive nearest the Lake was replaced. Active erosion along the drainage channel had degraded the channel banks that once supported a timber bridge at a lower elevation. At this lower elevation, the bridge was frequently wet from higher flows, which facilitated its degradation and the bank and path was being eroded.

To restore the pedestrian path, a new bridge was installed that spans the drainage channel at a higher elevation to prevent wet bridge conditions. To further ensure that the bridge will not be frequently wet, the left bank was graded to an elevation approximately 1’ lower than the current location to provide additional flow area under the bridge. In this area, a portion of the path will be raised as a boardwalk and connected to the existing paved trail. The right bank was rebuilt to decrease the current steep angle and both were stabilized with rock and native vegetation.

Some stream restoration work was completed the week of June 22nd with the rest designed to happen after the bridge installation.

Bridgework was completed on August 27th and concrete work and erosion control was completed on September 24th. Some planting has already been completed and additional trees and bushes will be installed as necessary. The meadow area will also be aerated and reseeded to reclaim the grass.