Rt. 28 - Muddy Creek – Chatham, MA

Fort Miller’s precast solutions transformed Muddy Creek Bridge, advancing wetland restoration infrastructure with durable materials and rapid installation.

Project Stakeholders

• Owner: MassDOT
• Contractor: MAS Building & Bridge

Project Overview

In April 2016, Fort Miller played a pivotal role in the Muddy Creek Bridge project—a cornerstone of wetland restoration infrastructure for the Towns of Chatham and Harwich, Massacusetts. The initiative replaced restrictive culverts under Route 28 with a 94-foot clear-span steel girder and composite concrete deck bridge, significantly improving tidal flow to Muddy Creek and supporting the long-term health of the surrounding wetlands.

Fort Miller specializes in innovative precast concrete solutions tailored to support projects like Muddy Creek, where environmental restoration and structural efficiency intersect. From high-quality prefabrication to streamlined delivery and installation, we ensure precision and sustainability in every project.

Scope and Details:

Prefabricated Bridge Units (PBUs):

• Fabricated in our Easton, NY facility, 250 miles from the project site.
• Delivered and installed with precision, each of the four 90-foot-long, 60-ton PBUs.

Precast Substructure Components:

• Supplied all substructure components for this bridge, including precast abutments and wingwalls, designed to provide a durable foundation for the bridge and streamline construction.

Impact and Innovation:

The project was carefully designed to address decades of environmental decline by enhancing tidal flow to Muddy Creek, a tidal river and subembayment of the Pleasant Bay estuarine system. By replacing restrictive stone culverts with a 24-foot-wide opening, the new bridge delivers optimal tidal flushing, critical for wetland rejuvenation.

• Durable Foundation: The bridge rests on integral concrete abutments supported by H-piles, delivering lasting strength and resilience in a coastal environment.
• Accelerated Construction Timeline: Completed in just 16 weeks, the project minimized disruptions to Route 28 while achieving ecological and infrastructure goals.

This project exemplifies how modern wetland restoration infrastructure can reverse environmental damage while addressing the practical needs of communities. By restoring tidal flow to Muddy Creek, the bridge supports the ecological recovery of the Pleasant Bay estuarine system and provides long-term environmental benefits.