Fred Weber, Inc. Completes MRB Approach Ahead of Schedule and Under Budget

The new elevated Mississippi River Bridge Approach was completed in November 2011

Fred Weber, Inc. has received numerous accolades for the new Mississippi River Bridge Approach Project, which was completed ahead of schedule and under budget, a theme that has been synonymous with Fred Weber, Inc. for more than 80 years.

The MRB approach started in April of 2010 and was completed in November of 2011. The scope of work included building the bridge to connect Missouri to the main span of the new Mississippi River Bridge. The project included 9 piers and girders (reaching 148’ long and weighing over 150,000 lbs.), an MSE wall and over 2500 CY of concrete in the bridge deck alone. 

When completed, the Mississippi River Bridge will be the first bridge built between downtown St. Louis and southwestern Illinois in more than 40 years.  Currently, the Poplar Street Bridge is the only interstate urban bridge between Missouri and Illinois. MoDOT officials say that by relocating I-70 from the Poplar Street Bridge to the  Mississippi River Bridge, drivers can expect less congestion, lower fuel costs and fewer accidents.

Key team participants included:

   •  Mike Ax - Project Manager
  
   •  Matt Clark - Project Superintendent

   •  Kyle Cunningham – Project Engineer

   •  Kenny Mayfield – Carpenter General Foreman

   •  Brad Yates – Ironworker Foreman

   •  Mike Brooks – Laborer Foreman

These team members were on site every day and were essential to the success of this project.

The new Mississippi River Bridge is expected to be open to traffic in 2014.

"It was really great to be part of a signature project for the St. Louis Area. I’m really proud of the FWI team members that produced such a quality project on time and under budget." - Mike Ax, Project Manager