The March 2019 flood caused significant damage to both the Highway 12 and Highway 281 Niobrara River Bridges, along with the Spencer Dam and the complete destruction of the Mormon Canal Bridge. Reconstruction was incredibly complex and was required to be completed immediately. To accomplish the task of opening both Highway 281 and Highway 12, we utilized all available resources. The Hwy 281 project was constructed utilizing key local partners and our bridge crews. The Hwy 12 roadway was opened utilizing our partners from across five states. We repaired the approach and girders of the Highway 12 Niobrara River Bridge and installed a temporary bridge over the Mormon Canal to restore mobility; the permanent Mormon Canal Bridge opened one year later. For the Highway 281 bridge, we installed a temporary bridge and roadway, along with an access bridge within two months, followed by a permanent bridge one year later. All bridges were completed ahead of schedule.

Project Quantities:

Highway 12 Niobrara River Bridge/Mormon Canal Bridge
• 34,230 sq feet of temporary sheet pile
• 1,468 linear feet of 5-foot diameter drilled shafts
• 54,000 sq feet of bridge deck

Highway 281 Niobrara River Bridge
• 15,490 linear feet of permanent driven H-pile
• 17,645 linear feet of temporary driven H-pile
• 46,592 sq feet of permanent driven sheet pile
• 50,000 sq feet of temporary sheet pile
• 49,332 sq feet of bridge deck