The project involved the purchase of a number of homes that lined the river, removal of the existing concrete, and widening the river channel. With the widening of the river channel, excavation into the banks along the river was required along with a method to stabilize the embankments. The Recon Block with its gravity design capability was selected. The gravity design minimized the excavation required, with the elimination of the use of geogrids. Recon Block lined about 600 lineal fee of the shoreline, but the base of the new wall was set back and outside the normal river basin. The Recon Walls served to stabilize the embankments along the river and provide additional flood protection in the event of significant storm events.
Because of these changes, more aquatic life has returned to the river, flood risks have been reduced, and residence will have a new green space near the channel to enjoy the Kinnickinnic. In 2013, the American Public Works Assn. named this project its National Project of the Year.
Project:
Kinnickinnic River Naturalization
Location:
Milwaukee, WI
Product:
Recon Series 50 Gravity Wall
Recon Manufacturer:
Dalmaray Concrete Products, Inc.
Wall Area:
15,300 SF
Wall Contractor:
Edgerton Contractors
Engineer:
Giles Engineering Jeff Miller P.E.
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