Wabasha Bridge Vessel Collision Study

Location:	Minnesota
Posted:	Jul 7, 2026
Due:	Jul 17, 2026
Agency:	State Government of Minnesota
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	B - Special Studies and Analyses - Not R&D
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

Brief Description: MnDOT requests letters of interest for engineering services to develop a Vessel Collision Study Report for the Wabasha Bridge (MN Bridge 79000, WI Bridge B-6-79). The bridge carries Minnesota Trunk Highway 60 over the Mississippi River between the cities of Wabasha, Minnesota, and Nelson, Wisconsin. The existing bridge was built in 1987 and was designed prior to the AASHTO Guide Specifications and commentary for Vessel Collision Design of Highway Bridges (1991), and subsequent updates included in the current LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. Work includes completing a certified Vessel Collision Study Report for the Wabasha Bridge to assist the states in risk assessment. This project also includes scoping, concept design/sketches of pier protection, and preliminary construction cost estimates for vessel collision protection, as anticipated in the certified Vessel Collision Study Report. Presentation of findings to MnDOT, WisDOT, the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and other agencies may also be required.

Date posted: 06/18/2026
Due date: 07/17/2026

Announcement
Scope of Work
Questions
Bridge 79000 Boring Locations
Bridge 79000 Contract A
Bridge 79000 Contract A Restrainer Strut
Bridge 79000 Contract B Concrete Alternative
Bridge 79000 SPT Boring Logs
TGB/VET Special Provisions
Official List : In order to submit a letter of interest to this project, consultants must be pre-qualified in the following work types:
- 3.14 Bridge and Structure Design - Level 4

Attachment Preview

MnDOT Contract No. 1060634

Exhibit C: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

1. PROJECT OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES

The States of Minnesota and Wisconsin are requesting engineering services to develop a Vessel Collision

Study Report for the Wabasha Bridge (MN Bridge 79000, WI Bridge B-6-79). The goal of the project is to

assess risk from vessel impacts and develop feasible protection alternatives for pier vessel collision

protection. The bridge carries Minnesota Trunk Highway 60 over the Mississippi River between the cities

of Wabasha, Minnesota, and Nelson, Wisconsin. The existing bridge was built in 1987 and was designed

prior to the AASHTO Guide Specifications and commentary for Vessel Collision Design of Highway Bridges

(1991), and subsequent updates included in the current LRFD Bridge Design Specifications.

The existing bridge has a total length of 2,462 feet and a width of 44 feet. The bridge includes 8 approach

spans in Minnesota, span 9 over the main navigation channel, and 10 spans in Wisconsin. Piers 1 through

7 on the Minnesota approach are on dry ground and are not vulnerable to barge vessel impacts. Piers 8

and 9 support a 470-foot truss span over the main navigation channel. Pier 8 is constructed within the

riverbank of the Minnesota approach and is considered protected from vessel impact forces due to

grounding; however, Pier 9 flanks the main navigation channel and is vulnerable to vessel impact,

primarily from barges on the river. Piers 10 through 14 are outside of the main navigation channel but

are within the water depth regions of the river that would not ground barges during high water events

and are therefore also considered vulnerable to vessel impact. Piers 15 through 18 are located in a

backwater region on the Wisconsin approach and are considered protected from vessel impact due to

grounding.

Work included in this Contract includes completion of a certified Vessel Collision Study Report for the

Wabasha Bridge to assist the states with risk assessment. This project also includes scoping, concept

design/sketches of pier protection, and preliminary construction cost estimates for vessel collision

protection anticipated to be required for piers 9 through 14, or as otherwise needed, as per the certified

Vessel Collision Study Report. Presentation of findings to MnDOT, WisDOT, the United States Coast

Guard (USCG), the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Federal Highway Administration

(FHWA), and other agencies may also be required.

2. PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND MEETINGS (SOURCE TYPE: 1010)

State will provide a Project Manager to give direction to the Contractor’s activities. It will be the

responsibility of the State’s Project Manager to receive the work produced by the Contractor, review the

work for accuracy and compliance with State standards, and recommend payment for such work.

Contractor will conduct the administration of the project, which will include communication with the

State, invoicing, preparation of any necessary supplemental agreements, cost and schedule updates, and

other non-technical work.

No changes in Contractor’s project management or task lead personnel will be permitted without prior

written notice to State’s Project Manager. State will notify Contractor immediately if there are changes to

State’s assigned project management personnel.

MnDOT Contract No. 1060634

Exhibit C: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

PROJECT MEETINGS

Kick-Off Meeting: Contractor will participate in a virtual kick-off meeting. The meeting will establish a

communication protocol for the project, discuss known project issues, and review the project schedule.

Assume a 1-hour meeting duration.

Monthly Project Meetings: Contractor will participate in monthly progress review meetings to coordinate

specific design details and provide project updates with State staff. Assume 2-hour meeting durations.

State’s anticipated participants will include:

1) MnDOT Bridge Office Project Manager

2) District 6 Project Manager

3) WisDOT Representative

4) Other agencies: USCG, USACE, FHWA, MnDNR, WisDNR, MPCA (if applicable)

3. QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN (QMP) (Source Type: 1010)

Contractor will develop a project-specific QMP for the project that appropriately addresses applicable

components from the MnDOT Bridge Design Manual, Article 4.1. Contractor will update the QMP as

necessary at the State’s request. The QMP will specify how the Contractor will perform Quality Assurance

(QA) and Quality Control (QC) activities throughout the duration of the project to ensure delivery of a

quality product in a timely manner that conforms to established contract requirements. Contractor must

submit its QMP to the State for final review and concurrence within 5 days of Notice to Proceed (NTP).

a) REPORTS

Contractor is responsible for the completeness and accuracy of its work. Data collection and

processing must be independently checked and reconciled prior to submittal to the State. The

source of data collected must be provided. Visual graphics depicted in reports must be included to

clarify the geometric layout based on the details included in existing bridge plans. Reports must

include accurate geometric dimensions created in CADD files to depict a General Plan and Elevation

view of the Bridge and riverbed elevations, based on existing bridge plans, hydraulic survey data

(provided by the State), and vessel data specific to the site (vessel data to be obtained by Contractor

from the USCG and/or the USACE). The report must include appropriate references to LRFD

specifications as applicable. With each report submittal, Contractor must provide an electronic copy

of the draft version of the Report with all calculations, software, spreadsheets, and analysis, with

Designer and Checker shown for all design calculations, along with a comment log documenting

resolution of all State review comments.

b) DESIGN AND REPORT CHECK

Contractor is responsible for the completeness and accuracy of its work. Design calculations must be

independently checked and reconciled prior to submittal to the State. Review comments from State

on Contractor’s various review submittals does not relieve Contractor of liability for inaccurate or

MnDOT Contract No. 1060634

Exhibit C: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

incomplete reports or calculations. With each submittal, Contractor must supply an electronic copy

of the calculation check prints, along with a comment log documenting the resolution of all State

review comments.

c) SOFTWARE PROGRAMS

Software programs and/or spreadsheets utilized by Contractor must be verified by Contractor’s in-

house QA Program.

d) QA VERIFICATION

Contractor’s Project Manager or QA Manager must review the entire design and production process

to ensure the completeness and accuracy of Contractor’s work and conformance with Contractor’s

QA procedures.

4. Vessel Collision Study Report for the Wabasha Bridge (MN Bridge 79000, WI Bridge B-6-79)

Contractor will gather and compile data, provide geotechnical and structural analysis, complete checking

of calculations, and provide risk assessment per current Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD)

provisions, as necessary to complete a Vessel Collision Study Report for the Wabasha Bridge. The existing

bridge was built in 1987 and was designed prior to the AASHTO Guide Specifications and commentary for

Vessel Collision Design of Highway Bridges (1991), and subsequent updates included in the current LRFD

Bridge Design Specifications.

Vessel data must be collected by the Contractor (from the USCG and/or USACE), including vessel size,

frequency, and vessel transit speed (upstream and downstream) of the bridge. River velocity and

approximate river-bed flow lines and scour elevations will be provided by the State.

Contractor must apply the current LRFD Bridge Design Specifications for vessel impact provisions to

existing Bridge 79000 based on the previous Method II – risk acceptance alternative approach, to

determine the existing annual frequency of collapse of the bridge. The results of this risk analysis will be

compared to the Operational Classification for a “critical or essential bridge” and also compared to a

“typical bridge.” This initial risk analysis will be based on the existing bridge piers that are vulnerable to

vessel impact loads (envisioned to include piers 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and possibly 14). Water depths vary at

these pier locations. Contractor will be expected to apply current code provisions, assess water depths,

and resolve extent of exposure to full vessel impact loads for various vessel size categories (to be

determined by the Contractor) and also include minimum vessel impact loads from a free-floating barge

to piers that are vulnerable in high water conditions, based on their own evaluation of the data and

interpretation of the vessel impact design provisions.

Due to the long detour, the States have set the Operational Classification for this Bridge as “critical or

essential” for the purpose of this Vessel Impact Study. The Contractor must propose vessel impact

protection, including conceptual design and sketches of all protective measures necessary to reduce the

“Probability of Collapse” to 0.0001, corresponding to a “critical or essential” bridge.

MnDOT Contract No. 1060634

Exhibit C: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

Contractor will submit draft findings in over-the-shoulder review meetings periodically as their analysis

progresses. Contractor will submit a draft report for review and comment by the State. Upon review by

the State, Contractor must address comments and submit the Final Certified Vessel Report, including the

concept design/sketches of vessel collision protection.

Vessel Collision Study Contractor Deliverables:

1) Executive Summary

2) Introduction describing the existing bridge, risk analysis methodology, and data collection

3) Channel characteristics, water depths, hydraulic data

4) Vessel characteristics, vessel frequency, vessel categories, vessel speed data (collected by

Contractor)

5) Estimated lengths of the in-place and new (if any) pile

6) Estimated geotechnical soil layer parameters utilized for geotechnical axial and lateral pile

analysis.

7) Geotechnical and structural analysis and ultimate lateral pier capacity of existing piers 9, 10, 11,

12, 13, and 14, subjected to vessel impact loads. Perform a 3D non-linear finite element soil

structure interaction analysis model of the entire substructure system, including the pier column,

footing, and pile group (use a pile-soil structure interaction program such as Florida Pier, etc., or

other programs, as approved by the State). Provide the strength (capacity over demand) and

deflection of the bridge piling, footing, and pier column. Determine the effects of the deflection

of the superstructure.

8) Protection Factor of the existing bridge

9) Protection Factors (for various protection schemes developed by the Contractor)

10) Vessel bow collisions and local collision analysis

11) Deflection assessment, stability of existing bridge subject to vessel impact (with and without

various protection schemes developed by Contractor)

12) Return period for probability of collapse – include various scenarios with and without vessel

collision protection

13) Concept design/sketches of vessel protection provisions required by analysis

14) Appendix with all calculations (include analysis results with all spreadsheets for review by the

State)

a) Scoping Cost Studies

Contractor will provide scoping cost studies for the construction of the vessel collision protection

Contractor Deliverable(s):

1) Summary of Quantities based on conceptual design/sketches

2) Cost Estimates for the construction of vessel collision protection

b) Agency Coordination

MnDOT Contract No. 1060634

Exhibit C: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

Placement of vessel collision protection that encroaches on the existing navigation span will require

coordination with agencies, including the USCG and UASCE. The States will submit an Early

Notification Memo to the USCG to identify this study and the need for agency coordination for a

possible future project. During the project, the Contractor will present their findings periodically at

Project Meetings that include agency representation. The Contractor will present findings, obtain

feedback, and collaborate with the State(s) and agencies to work towards acceptable alternatives

that provide for vessel impact protection, while also minimizing impacts to the existing navigation

channel.

Contractor Deliverable(s):

1) Periodic updates (led by Contractor) plan for 6 two-hour meetings

2) Preparation and presentation of work

5. ITEMS FURNISHED BY THE STATE

a) Existing Bridge Plans

b) Hydraulic channel surveys and hydraulic analysis, including scour elevations

c) Existing soil boring log information

d) Review comments on Contractor’s deliverables

6. PHASE 2: PLANS AND SPECS (Source Type: 1250)

At the State’s sole discretion and contingent upon available budget, the State may elect to amend this

contract to include Certified Final Bridge Plans, Special Provisions, and construction cost estimates for the

recommended vessel collision protection identified in this study. Assumed timing would be upon

acceptance of the Final Vessel Collision Study. Phase 2, if authorized, will be incorporated into this

Contract by formal amendment.

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Wabasha Bridge Vessel Collision Study

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