Aug. 27—Jasper County has moved forward with hiring a company to complete a feasibility study for the Highway T-38 bridge over an Iowa Interstate Railroad crossing.
County Engineer Michael Frietsch had presented supervisors last week with six responses to engineer’s office’s request for proposals, which were sent out back in July. Engineer’s office leaders reviewed each request and scored them to find the best fit, making sure they acknowledged the county’s objectives.
Ultimately, it was Benesch that scored the highest of the six firms. Frietsch said at a previous meeting that experience with Iowa Interstate Railroad played a big factor. Benesch was the firm recommended to the county by the railroad. Frietsch said Benesch had good experience with railroads and building railroad bridges.
According to Benesch’s website, the firm has completed inspections and strength ratings for all bridge spans operated on by Iowa Interstate Railroad.
Supervisors agreed to pay Benesch’s lump sum fee of $35,000.
Andrew Keaschall, project manager for Benesch, said in a letter to Frietsch that Highway T-38 North provides an important north-south direct connection between Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 6 for local residents, businesses, and thru traffic traveling between Newton and Grinnell.
“Benesch is excited to submit our qualifications to partner with Jasper County’s Highway Department to evaluate the feasibility of designing and constructing a new bridge on T-38 N at the exIstIng at-grade crossing with the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS),” Keaschall said in the letter.
Benesch understands the importance of this study to the county, he added. Through a site visit and a desktop review, the firm believes it has a strong grasp of the challenges within the study area that will influence the outcome. Keaschall said Benesch has an experienced team that is focused on funding.
“The success of this study will not only be measured by its final determination regarding project feasibility, but also how well the study prepositions the county, DOT and IAIS for pursuit of funding to facilitate future phases of the project,” he said. “Benesch’s team … possesses the grant insights and technical expertise.”
Keaschall believed the team can quickly and effectively present to key stakeholders and build consensus for the programmatic future of the project.
County documents show Benesch provided renderings for the initial overpass configuration. The initial concepts show a raised T-38 North crossing over the rails while maintaining the Justice Avenue connectivity. Benesch also provided the county with examples of similar work, like the I-80 bridge over an IAIS railroad.