Rocky Branch Stream Restoration

Technical Description:

• Span: 48 ft
• Rise: 11 ft
• Length: 60 ft

As part of a $4 million project to restore Rocky Branch Stream and extend the Raleigh Greenway System, a culvert at the North Carolina State University was demolished and replaced. The new CON/SPAN ^® structure carries Pullen Road over Rocky Branch Stream to reestablish campus access from Western Boulevard and connect a multi-use path from campus to Raleigh’s Greenway System.

EarthTech engineers utilized well known stream restoration techniques made popular by Dr. David Rosgen. Incorporating the CON/SPAN bottomless culvert into the scope of this project along with strategically positioned rock sills, root wads, cross vanes and adding sinuosity to Rocky Branch, allowed for a more natural stream alignment to occur.

The construction process included clearing six acres of land, restoring 1,580 linear feet of stream, and constructing 2,000 linear feet of greenway.

“The bottomless arch culvert allowed us to provide a 48-foot span under Pullen Road that accommodates both the stream and greenway path within a restricted time period – during the summer break for the university” said Sea Grant Water Quality Specialist, Barbara Doll. “We could not have completed the work during this short time period using any other option and still achieve the same goals”

Technical Description:

• Span: 48 ft
• Rise: 11 ft
• Length: 60 ft