HomeMy WebLinkAbout06. Noise Variance Request as
KRAEMER
100 Years of Construction Excellence
April 18, 2012 Serial Letter: 00007
David C Patek , P.E.
City of Oshkosh
215 Church Ave
Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130
Project Title: CN Rail Oshkosh Bascule
Project Number: M.P. 173.20
EKS Job Number: 501124
RE: Noise Ordinance Variance Request
Dear Mr. Patek,
As you are aware Edward Kraemer and Sons, Inc. (EKS)is in the process of
reconstructing the Canadian National Railway Bridge over the Fox River. At the
November 22, 2011 Common Council Meeting EKS was granted a variance to the noise
ordinance to allow for work in night time hours for specific activities through May 2012
and in the Spring of 2013. Delays in obtaining environmental permits required to start
drilled shaft construction in November 2011 as originally planned pushed the start of
work to January 23,2012. To account for this delay EKS would like to request a
modification to the granted variance to allow for night work through the end of May
2012. It is anticipated that night work associated the installation of the drilled shafts will
be completed by mid-May 2012. To allow for additional delays related to weather, an
extension to the variance is requested to the end of May 2012.
Edward Kraemer and Sons, Inc. would like to request to be on the agenda for the April
24, 2012 Common Council meeting to formally make this request.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Bennett,
Project Manager
Cc: Mark Rohloff City of Oshkosh,City Manager
Steve Gohde City of Oshkosh,Assistant Director of Public Works
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL— NOVEMBER 22, 2011
Noise Variance Grant a Noise Variance to Edward Kraemer and Sons, Inc. / Upcoming
Work on the Canadian national Railroad Bridge over the Fox River /
November 2011 to April 2012 and Spring of 2013
MOTION: ADOPT (Herman; second, Pech)
CARRIED: Ayes (7) Allison-Aasby, Poeschl, Pech, Cummings, Herman, Hall,
Mayor Tower
Dennis Maney, 7940 County Road T, Larsen, represented Edward Kraemer and Sons, Inc.,
explained the new Canadian Railroad bridge would be built on a foundation of twelve
caissons drilled into the bottom of the Fox River. He stated normally, the drilling would take
place over a four day cycle with drilling occurring within a ten or eleven hour window; but,
given the density of the bedrock, drilling may take longer, up to forty eight or seventy hours
straight. He explained in the spring of 2013 the existing swing span would be removed and
replaced during which both river traffic and rail traffic would cease. He stated to minimize
the disruption to the rail service and river traffic crews would work round the clock to
complete the project.
Mayor Tower questioned how long river traffic would be halted during the construction of the
bridge.
Mr. Maney stated that boat traffic in the river would be halted during the forty hour window
when the swing span would be replaced and for a twenty four hour period after the swing
span was installed in order to get the bridge up and running.
Council Member Poeschl requested that residents of the area be notified about the potential
noise.
Council Member Herman questioned if the new bridge would be at the same height as the
old bridge.
Mr. Maney stated the new bridge would have the same clearance as the existing bridge.
KRAEMER
100 Years of Construction Excellence
November 2,2011 Serial Letter: 00001
Mark Rohloff
City of Oshkosh
215 Church Street
Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130
Project Title: CN Rail Oshkosh Bascule
Project Number: M.P. 173.50
EKS Job Number: 501124
RE: Ordnance Variance
Dear Mr.Rohloff,
Edward Kraemer and Sons, Inc. has been contract by Canadian National Railway to replace the
existing swing bridge over the Fox River in the City of Oshkosh. Construction of the project will
begin in the middle of November this year and complete by May of 2013. The work will consist
of constructing new piers on drilled shafts,erection of structural steel and removal of the existing
structure.
Construction activity will take place during the normal work week Monday—Friday 7:00 AM to
5:30 PM. A few construction activities will require work to be completed on Saturday. The City
of Oshkosh Noise Ordinance provides a noise exemption for construction sites during the day
Monday through Saturday. The majority of the project can be completed during the established
noise day hours for construction projects.
There are two operations that will require work to be completed during the night time hours.
There is a 40 hour continuous work window where the existing swing bridge will be floated out
and new bascule bridge will be floated into place. This is schedule to take place during the spring
of 2013. The other operation that will require extended work hours will be the installation of the
drilled shafts into bedrock. There are(12) 8' diameter drilled shafts that will be drilled 9.5' to
12' into bedrock. The project specifications require the drilling of the rock,cleaning, inspection,
rebar installation and the start of the concrete placement to be completed within 96 hours. The
drilling of the 19,000 psi limestone bedrock is anticipated to be a slow process and will require a
continuous work operation. The drilled shafts will be constructed between November 2011 and
April 2012. A package of information regarding these two operations has been attached for
reference.
The 40 hour main span switch out is a complex and tightly sequenced series of operations where
the existing swing span, including the pivot pier, will be removed and the entire new bascule span
will be installed. This accelerated bridge construction process is utilized to minimize the
disruption of service. The continuous operations requirement for drilling of the bedrock is
necessary to produce a solid interface between the bedrock and concrete of the drilled shaft.
Edward Kraemer and Sons, Inc.would like to request a variance to the day hours for the noise
exemption for these two specific operations that will require around the clock operations. This
variance request is for the extension of the noise exemption to 24 hours a day for these specific
tasks.
Consideration of this variance by the City of Oshkosh is greatly appreciated by Edward Kraemer
and Sons, Inc. If you have any questions regarding this request or the information provided,
please contact me at(612)963-6197. Jon Bennett and I are also available to meet in person with
you to discuss this request.
Sincerely,
EDWARD KRAEMER& SONS, INC.
Dennis Maney,
VP WI Region
cc: David Patek City of Oshkosh, Director of Public Works
Steve Gohde City of Oshkosh,Assistant Director of Public Works