Neb. uses modular bridges to combat washouts from flooding

Acrow Bridge has installed two of its modular steel bridges to help flood-ravaged Nebraska, which continues to be inundated with rain after flooding across the state began in March.

The most recent deluge struck September 10 and 11 in north-central Nebraska, when 4 to 8 inches were dumped, again washing out roads and bridges, some of which had already been repaired from previous floods.

Acrow says the Nebraska Department of Transportation contacted it after the spring flooding about needing emergency bridges in the northeastern part of the state to replace two damaged spans.

Acrow installed a detour bridge on Highway 281 in the Spencer Dam/Niobrara River area that consists of six spans of 100 feet each with an 18-foot road width. The second detour bridge is on Highway 12 west of the Village of Niobrara and also consists of six 100-foot spans, but has a 24-foot width, the company says.

Acrow began shipping in components for the bridges in early July. The goal was to have the structures completed by early August. The Spencer Dam Highway 281 bridge opened July 29 and the Niobrara Highway 12 bridge on August 13, the company reports. The temporary bridges will likely be in use for 12 to 16 months until the permanent structures are completed, Acrow says.