Spellacy Bridge Reconstruction Project
Holmes County, Ohio
BEST PROJECT
Sent by: Kokosing Construction Co.
Owner: Holmes County, Ohio (LPA with Ohio Department of Transportation)
Main design company: Palmer Engineering
General contractor: Kokosing Construction Co.
Civil Engineer: OHM Consultancy
Structural Engineer: Smolen Engineering
This $9.5 million bridge project was the largest infrastructure project in the history of Holmes County, Ohio. He added a wooden structure to the Mohican Greenway Corridor and the Wally Road Scenic Byway.
At 300 feet long, 24 feet wide, and with each of its four trusses weighing 168,000 pounds, the bridge is one of the largest covered bridges in the country.
Photo courtesy of Kokosing Construction Co.
During excavation, crews discovered ancient construction remains, such as wooden pilings under the sandstone foundations, which necessitated a redesign of the front buttress.
Photo courtesy of Kokosing Construction Co.
Environmental conditions also presented an obstacle when warm weather and heavy rains caused the Mohican River to rise and fall dramatically, resulting in flooding of the excavation sites.
Photo courtesy of Kokosing Construction Co.
The use of pans allowed the team to manage these conditions and proceed with substructure construction throughout the winter. The wooden bridge now has a lifespan of over 125 years.
