Raleigh Replaces 53-Year-Old Bridge Over Walnut Creek

From the City of Raleigh: The City of Raleigh will reopen Lake Dam Road on August 2 (before morning rush hour) following the replacement of a 53-year-old bridge across Walnut Creek just downstream of Lake Johnson dam in Raleigh. The new bridge meets current design standards and addresses structural issues that caused the old bridge to deteriorate making it unsafe to travel.

“We understand the challenges this road closure caused residents and appreciate their patience during this project. Ongoing coordination allowed us to secure federal funding for the bridge replacement, which in turn saved almost $2 million in City funding. It was also crucial that we had every aspect finalized before constructing the bridge so that it is safe and functional for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists," said Wayne Miles, Stormwater Program Manager for the City of Raleigh.

“We want to thank Dewberry, S.T. Wooten, and SEPI Engineering for completing construction of this bridge in a timely manner. It's not an easy task to rebuild a bridge that is over a major creek and immediately below a high-hazard dam."

Construction work also included adding a new sidewalk on the east side of the bridge and repairing the streambank along Walnut Creek. The Public Utilities Department also completed emergency sewer repairs at the intersection of Lake Dam Road and Tryon Road.

This was a jointly funded project between the City of Raleigh, North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The bridge was originally closed in 2014. During this time, project partners worked closely to address planning, design, and construction needs of the project. For more information about this project, contact the City of Raleigh’s Stormwater Management Division at 919-996-3940.

This press release was produced by the City of Raleigh. The views expressed here are the author's own.