Under construction: Initial work underway to build a new dam in McConnelsville
MORGAN COUNTY − The Ruhlin Company began work at the McConnelsville Dam site. The existing dam along the Muskingum River has reached the end of its lifespan and will be replaced.
The dam was constructed in 1841 and reconstructed in 1959. It's been worked on many times throughout the years. It is approximately 14 feet in height and 472 feet wide and regulated by the ODNR Dam Safety Program. It is a cellular sheet pile structure, filled with sand and gravel capped with concrete.
The new dam will be built in three phases and is expected to take two years. Once the new stepped dam is completed the old one will be demolished. The new dam structure will be located approximately 580 feet downstream from the existing dam.
The initial work includes the installation of a temporary causeway and the construction of the temporary access bridge which will run from McConnel Island to the intersection of Ohio 376 and East Riverside Drive. McConnel Island will be a staging area for construction materials and equipment.
As the work proceeds, East Riverside Drive will be closed from East McConnel Avenue to Ohio 376 during work hours. Barricades and signage will be posted daily and removed at the end of each shift. Access will be maintained for residents and emergency services. Once the causeway is complete, most of the operations will be able to proceed without impacting access on East Riverside Drive.A portion of East Riverside Drive from East McConnel Avenue to Ohio 376 will be converted to a one way street with traffic traveling from McConnel Avenue to Ohio 376.
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Initial work begins on new McConnelsville Dam
