BG Consultants assisted Linn County in applying for funding through KDOT’s Off-System Bridge Program for the replacement of bridge OS-5, locally called Hell’s Bend Bridge. The existing bridge was fracture critical, requiring more costly inspections, and was not capable of carrying legal loads or some emergency vehicles across the bridge. The bridge, over the BNSF railroad, served as the only access to a couple residences/properties lying West of the railroad tracks within a bend in the Marais Des Cygnes River.

When the project was selected for funding, the County contracted BG to prepare plans for construction. To maintain access during construction, BG designed an offset alignment to the North and demolition of the existing bridge was the final stage of the project upon completion of the new crossing. BG’s design team coordinated the process closely with BNSF. To secure the necessary BNSF permits and easements, the new 114’ steel plate girder span was designed to remove all substructure elements from the railroad right-of-way and managed stormwater drainage away from right-of-way. 

BG assisted Linn County with securing permits, coordinating utility relocations, and property acquisitions for the offset alignment as well as being selected through a qualification-based selection process to provide construction inspection and testing services. The new bridge will provide a safer, low maintenance, more functional crossing for the next 75+ years.