EVail, CO
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Project Name: Mail Creek Pedestrian Overpass
Owner: City of Fort Collins
Wall Type: Gravity & MSE Retaining Walls
Texture: Ledgestone
Year Built: 2023
The City of Fort Collins needed to construct a new pedestrian bridge to provide a safe crossing over both a busy bike trail system and two active railroad lines. The project presented several technical hurdles:
Complex Geometry: To achieve the necessary elevation for the bridge, the approach required a unique “serpentine” or S-curve design.
Space Constraints: The proximity to the railroad lines and existing bike paths meant there was very little room for a massive construction footprint.
Aesthetic Continuity: The city required a solution that was structurally sound enough to support a bridge abutment but attractive enough to fit into a public-facing recreation area.
In collaboration with Miller Wall Company and the City’s engineering department, a hybrid solution using the Redi-Rock system was selected.
Key technical aspects included:
Serpentine Design: The tapered block design allowed for alternating inside and outside curves without requiring specialized modifications, creating a seamless S-curve.
High-Mass Support: The system provided the necessary structural integrity to serve as the bridge abutment and approach ramps.
Aesthetic Excellence: The “Rustico” color and “Ledgestone” texture provided a natural stone appearance that has received positive feedback from the community.
Design Efficiency: The final wall designs were a collaborative effort involving Yeh & Associates, Ground Engineering, and the City of Fort Collins.
The efficiency of the precast system was critical to the project’s success:
Streamlined Logistics: Signature Stone ensured that the required blocks were manufactured and delivered to meet the specific staging needs of the site.
Reduced Manual Labor: The system’s machine-set installation allowed for faster completion compared to traditional hand-set stone or poured concrete.
Collaborative Success: The longstanding partnership between Signature Stone, Miller Wall, and the regional engineering community ensured a smooth transition from design to field execution.
The Mail Creek Pedestrian Overpass stands as a testament to creative engineering and high-quality materials, successfully linking two sides of a major transportation corridor.
Community Enhancement: The project provides a safe, beautiful connection for the city’s bike path users.
Structural Integrity: The walls provide a permanent, low-maintenance foundation for the bridge abutments.
Proven Partnership: This project further solidified the 25-year relationship between Signature Stone and Redi-Rock, demonstrating the effectiveness of their collaborative approach to infrastructure.
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