EAST HAVERHILL ST. OVER SPICKET RIVER
Lawrence, Massachusetts


We are currently preparing plans for the restoration of a dry-laid stone arch bridge near downtown Lawrence. The arch, dating originally to the mid eighteen hundreds, was widened in the early twentieth century using cast-in-place concrete and mortared stone.

Recognizing the historic and environmental impacts that total bridge replacement would involve, we have recommended careful protection of the existing stonework, while constructing an on-grade new cast-in-place concrete deck within the end walls of the arch to support modern traffic loads and reduce the stress on the structure. The new deck will be supported at either end by concrete cored piers to provide seismic stability in the event of a collapse of the old arch. An earlier proposal to use the ArchTech method of securing the existing stonework was found to be too expensive for application at this site.

Our plans call for staged construction. Phase 1 will involve relocation of several utility lines to a corridor under a new cast-in-place sidewalk. This is required because the new deck would render the lines inaccessible in the future. Then the roadway deck will be constructed in two succeeding phases, with two-way traffic maintained at all times. To complete the work, new safety rails will be installed on either side of the bridge. The rails will be stone-faced to preserve the outer historical character of the bridge.

This project is currently in the PS&E design review stage and construction is anticipated to begin in the winter of 2009.

Client: Massachusetts Highway

Department: Lawrence Cash, P.E.