Acrow Bridge Detour Enables Restoration of Herring River Estuary in Massachusetts
In Wellfleet, Massachusetts, an extraordinary project is underway to restore the Herring River estuary to its former ecological glory. Enabled by Acrow, an international leader in bridge engineering and modular infrastructure, this restoration involves an innovative detour solution that keeps essential routes open for residents and first responders.
The project, which centres around replacing a century-old earthen dike with a bridge fitted with tide gates, aims to reintroduce natural tidal flows across a vast floodplain, enhancing habitats and boosting biodiversity across the Herring River watershed.
The Herring River Restoration Project is more than a routine infrastructure update; it’s a significant environmental undertaking, marking Massachusetts’ largest estuary restoration effort. Spanning hundreds of acres, this restoration targets revitalising an ecosystem devastated by restricted tidal flows since 1909. Acrow’s contribution, a modular bridge solution, is providing a safe, efficient detour as construction moves forward.
The Impact of the Chequessett Neck Dike
In 1909, an earthen dike was constructed on Chequessett Neck, blocking tidal flows to mitigate mosquito breeding in the wetlands. This well-intentioned measure, however, set off a century of ecological decline. The blocked saltwater inflows transformed the thriving estuary into a freshwater environment, causing the native salt and freshwater plant species to disappear. The ecosystem suffered further as fish kills increased, bacterial levels rose, and the shellfishing industry took a hit from deteriorating water quality.
Years of ecological decline spurred a push to restore the natural tidal range, and today, the Herring River Restoration Project is bringing this vision to life. The project’s plan calls for dismantling the dike and introducing a bridge with tide gates. This bridge will allow controlled saltwater reintroduction from Wellfleet Harbor, supporting a gradual re-emergence of marsh vegetation and creating a balanced habitat for fish, wildlife, and herring to once again spawn in the river’s watershed.
Essential Infrastructure for a Critical Cause
Acrow’s 700XS® modular bridge was selected to provide the crucial detour route for the duration of the restoration project. This isn’t just any bridge: it’s a single-lane, four-span structure that stretches 320 feet, with a 13.6-foot curb-to-curb width and a pedestrian walkway cantilevered on one side. The bridge also includes TL-3 guide rails and a 2-inch asphalt overlay on the deck, ensuring both durability and comfort for users.
Notably, the 700XS® bridge design adheres to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASTHO) HL-93 standards, underscoring its reliability and adherence to stringent safety requirements. MIG Corporation, the project contractor, rented the bridge, while Atlantic Bridge & Engineering, Inc. managed its installation. Set to remain in place until 2025, the bridge is pivotal to maintaining access for Wellfleet’s residents and emergency responders.
Acrow’s solution proves invaluable for such projects, providing versatile and cost-effective options to ensure traffic disruption remains minimal. According to Nick Rotondo, Acrow’s Business Development Manager for New England: “We are pleased to have been selected to take part in this unique and important project. Our bridges are versatile, safe, and cost-effective detour options that ensure traffic disruption is minimised, and the safety of motorists and construction workers is maintained.”
A Sustainable Future for Massachusetts’ Largest Estuary Restoration
As the Herring River reclaims its natural tidal range, the return of salt marsh vegetation will enrich the landscape, improving conditions for fish, wildlife, and shellfish populations. For communities around the Herring River, this restoration represents not only an ecological win but also a revitalisation of local livelihoods connected to fishing and water quality. By reintroducing saltwater flows, the project is expected to improve the watershed’s health, while simultaneously benefiting biodiversity and resilience against climate impacts.
With the Acrow bridge in place, the project can move forward seamlessly, benefiting both people and the planet. Eugene Sobecki, Director of National Sales & Military Business Development at Acrow, expressed his confidence in the project, stating, “Acrow’s portfolio of bridging systems is well-suited for a wide range of applications. When viable detour routes are unavailable, state DOTs and contractors are increasingly choosing our reliable, fixed-cost solutions to keep projects on or ahead of schedule.”
A Legacy of Bridging Solutions
For over 70 years, Acrow has provided modular steel bridging solutions worldwide, supporting permanent, temporary, and emergency infrastructure needs across sectors. With a stronghold in over 150 countries, Acrow has developed an extensive international portfolio, delivering projects from military bridges in Asia to emergency flood relief structures in Africa and infrastructure initiatives across the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East. Their modular designs are adaptable and durable, meeting the diverse demands of modern infrastructure projects with minimal environmental disruption.
In the transportation and construction industries, Acrow’s expertise and forward-thinking designs ensure that infrastructure challenges are met with resilience and creativity. As infrastructure needs evolve globally, Acrow’s commitment to quality, cost-effectiveness, and ecological sensitivity continues to guide its success.
A Revitalised River and a Reconnected Community
The Herring River Restoration Project in Wellfleet represents a transformative moment for Massachusetts and a significant step in estuary restoration practices nationwide. This ambitious project isn’t just an investment in infrastructure; it’s an investment in ecological resilience, community heritage, and sustainable futures. By enabling the reintroduction of natural tidal flows, it sets a precedent for other regions to consider the long-term impacts of water management decisions and the benefits of prioritising ecological restoration.
With Acrow’s bridge in place, the people of Wellfleet can rest assured that accessibility and safety will remain uncompromised as their community reconnects to a rich natural legacy. This ambitious project serves as a testament to the powerful results that come from blending engineering innovation with ecological responsibility.
