PARSIPPANY, NJ  Acrow Bridge, a leading international bridge engineering and supply company, announces that the installation of a permanent 80-foot steel bridge has been completed on Ely Street over Bear Creek in Hannibal, Missouri. The existing structure was found to be structurally deficient at inspection and had been closed since February.

The bridge was purchased by the city after it was determined that repairs to the severely rusting structure would last no more than three to five years. Acrow's prefabricated bridge was built to the city's specifications with a length of 80 feet and a width of 18 feet, with an additional eight-foot lane for pedestrian and bicycle traffic cantilevered off one side.

"With the next nearest crossing two miles away, the bridge closing displaced not only residents and commuters, but the many tourists who visit the attractions in Mark Twain's boyhood hometown and drive the scenic "˜50 Miles of Art' corridor along the nearby Mississippi River," said Jeff Simkins, Midwest Regional Manager, Acrow Bridge. "The necessity for a rapid replacement required a compressed schedule from notice of purchase to shipment of components - 20 calendar days for engineering and coordination of delivery."

Upon approval from the Hannibal City Council, Acrow Bridge was brought by project engineers Poepping, Stone, Bach & Associates. Structural components arrived on site during early June, and the bridge was assembled and installed by public works employees. Despite a two-week delay due to flooding, the bridge was opened ahead of schedule.

"The modular design of Acrow bridges make them a perfect choice when a cost-effective and rapid permanent bridging solution is needed," said Bill Killeen, President and CEO of Acrow Bridge. "Our customizable components can be engineered for many different applications, have an estimated life span of 75 to 100 years and are virtually maintenance-free."