Jensen Builds 12 Drilled Shafts Completely Underwater for Pierre-Fort Pierre Bridge Project as Missouri River Elevation Fluctuatesm - Western Builder 02/2023

As Jensen Construction Company of Des Moines, Iowa, constructs the $49.99 million Pierre-Fort Pierre Bridge project in central South Dakota, “The biggest challenge is building the drilled shafts with the top of the shafts below water, as river elevations fluctuate 3 to 4 feet every day due to a hydroelectric dam just above the project,” said Ryan Cheeseman, Jensen’s Project Manager.

With the drilled shafts as deep as 135 feet, Jensen put in extra hours, fine-tuned processes, and adjusted their work schedule to accommodate the changing river elevation. They finished the last of the 12 drilled shafts in December 2022. As crews build the rest of the new structure, they continue dealing with the challenges – and some opportunities – of working just 10 feet north of the existing bridge.

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