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Meijer Corporate Pedestrian Tunnel

Walker, Michigan

Pedestrian Tunnel

Owner:

Meijer, Inc.

Engineer:

Prein & Newhof

Contractor:

Rockford Construction

Installation:

July 2015

Technical Description:

• 12’ Span x 11.5' Rise x 120' Length CON/SPAN® B-Series Bridge System

• 6.5' wide x 2' thick x 120' long EXPRESS® Foundations

Founded in 1934, Meijer, Inc. is credited with pioneering the modern supercenter concept. As one of the largest private companies operating nearly 200 stores in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky and soon Wisconsin, it was necessary for Meijer to expand and modernize their corporate headquarters. Part of the expansion included the addition of a pedestrian tunnel under 3-Mile Road allowing Meijer employees safe passage between the company's north and south campuses.

"As the largest employer in Walker, we are happy to see that they are renovating their campus and making an investment toward the future," Walker City Manager Cathy Vander Meulen said.

As the best solution for the pedestrian tunnel, a 12’ x 11.5’ CON/SPAN® B-Series Bridge System, 120' in length, was selected. During construction, it was imperative that two lanes of traffic remain open at all times on the busy, 3-Mile Road. CON/SPAN offered a quick installation, and in order to further expedite the installation, the precast bridge units were placed on 6.5' wide x 2' x 120' long precast EXPRESS® Foundations. The precast structure offered a number of advantages over alternative solutions, including: the aesthetic look of the natural arch, a better water-tight joint option and the ability to use EXPRESS Foundations.

The pedestrian tunnel includes lighting and electronic gates which can be closed remotely from headquarters in order to limit access at night.

Fifteen precast concrete CON/SPAN arch units were installed and placed on EXPRESS Foundations. The use of all precast bridge components provided Meijer's Corporate Headquarters with an efficiently constructed bridge that saved both time and money and was constructed in less than 45 days. In addition, the structure will last and perform well for years to come.

“Combining the arch tunnel with precast footings from Contech Engineered Solutions allowed the contractor to install the entire tunnel quickly limiting the overall traffic impact on 3 Mile Road," stated Brandon Hildreath, Structural Engineering Manager with Prein & Newhof. "The City of Walker, Rockford Construction and Meijer Corporate were very pleased with this design.”

Technical Description:

• 12’ Span x 11.5' Rise x 120' Length CON/SPAN® B-Series Bridge System

• 6.5' wide x 2' thick x 120' long EXPRESS® Foundations
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