Shawnee’s Infrastructure Milestone: The Clearpond Road Culvert Project
When the City of Shawnee, OK asked Freese and Nichols to assist with an emergency culvert replacement on Clearpond Road, our Oklahoma transportation team mitigated the risk by incorporating a robust foundation design to support the reinforced roadway reconstruction. The completion of the Clearpond Road Culvert project in Shawnee, Oklahoma marks a significant milestone for the city’s infrastructure.
With a fixed budget and the urgency of an emergency repair, the project team delivered a solution that met immediate needs and set new standards for future projects. The project aimed to resolve the culvert’s repeated washout in an area with problematic soil conditions. Traditional methods had failed, so the team used deep foundations typically reserved for bridge construction. Treating each foundation as an independent system to counteract the weak soil provided stability.
Environmental preservation was also a priority. By using parallel wing walls instead of the conventional flare wing design, the team limited the area of impact. It preserved the aquatic environment, contributing to the sustainability of the local ecosystem.
Erosion around the culvert posed a significant threat to roadway safety. The team addressed this by widening the structure to meet clearzone requirements, improving safety for the traveling public. This was crucial as the road was one of only two entrances to the area, and any detour for emergency personnel could cause critical delays.
The project was complex due to challenging site conditions, including groundwater encountered approximately 18 feet below the surface. This required additional measures to manage water during construction and ensure the stability of the foundation system. Using piles and reinforced concrete showcased the team’s expertise and problem-solving abilities.
The Clearpond Road Culvert project was completed under budget and in half the traditional timeframe, minimizing disruption to the community and ensuring the road was reopened quickly. This achievement underscores the team’s dedication to financial efficiency and effective project management. By integrating bridge technology into culvert construction, optimizing hydraulic design, and prioritizing rapid, effective repairs, the project team delivered a resilient and safe roadway for the Shawnee community.