Fort Sill low-water crossing project honored by ACEC

The U.S. Army has used portions of Fort Sill in southern Oklahoma as integral training grounds for decades. But because of an inadequate low-water crossing over the East Cache Creek, heavy rains would render hundreds of acres inaccessible to the soldier’s training efforts.

To open year-round access to such pivotal areas, Garver’s Federal Team led the planning, design, and construction administration services for a new crossing over the creek that is accessible up to a 25-year storm event. The five-cell, 20-foot by 15-foot reinforced concrete box culvert replaced the previous crossing consisting of eight four-foot by three-foot cells, and includes 12-foot wide lanes designed for two-way traffic.

The project was recently honored by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Oklahoma with an Engineering Excellence Award. 

“The existing conditions were preventing soldiers from fully training and maintaining their readiness mission at Fort Sill,” said Director of Federal Services Wallace Smith. “This new bridge is both higher and wider, ensuring a safer option for the Army to maintain its crucial training schedules.”

To not restrict flow of the creek, Garver developed a construction phase sequencing plan ensuring that half of the creek was open at all times. 

The new crossing at Pig Farm Road is 20 feet higher than the previous crossing, and in order to prevent erosion of the embankment, road, and culvert, the design incorporated slope and embankment protection. In addition to civil and site design, structural and bridge design, Garver provided GIS, surveying, and environmental services.

Garver is celebrating its centennial year in 2019. To learn more, visit our centennial celebration page.