Hunt Street Bridge over Bergholtz Creek

The Hunt Street Bridge over Bergholtz Creek was successfully reconstructed—on time and within budget— restoring a vital local roadway that had been closed due to poor condition. Local residents had petitioned for its replacement, and the project delivered a modern, durable solution, as evidenced by the community outpour at the re-opening ceremony. 

Watts collaborated with Niagara County Department of Public Works (NC)DPW and NYS Department of Transportation (NYSDOT)to evaluate multiple precast bridge types for this project. Hydraulic considerations led to the selection of a three-sided precast concrete frame, offering lower initial cost, high-quality precast concrete, fast installation and smooth underside with ample clearance.

The reconstructed bridge was designed with five precast concrete units, each with a 34-foot span and 7-foot rise, set on cast-in-place strip footings supported by piles driven to bedrock. Cast-in-place wingwalls were included as part of the structure, and a natural stream bottom was maintained to meet permitting requirements. The use of precast units allowed for efficient construction, resulting in significant time and cost savings while delivering a long-lasting, high-performance bridge. The 'before' photos truly illuminate the vital need of this reconstruction project. Ultimately, the project restored safe, reliable access for the Hamlet of Bergholtz and stands as a cost-effective, high-quality solution for local bridge replacement.

/ Before Construction                                                                                                                                                                                  / DuringConstruction