DRAINAGE DESIGN CASE STUDY:

The Jack Schmiedel Memorial Bridge, located at State Highway 74 and 150th Street in Oklahoma City, received a targeted drainage system upgrade led by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). This project involved the installation of JET Filter’s maintainable weep hole system to enhance the bridge’s concrete abutment drainage and long-term structural performance.

Like many integral bridge abutments, the Jack Schmiedel Memorial Bridge was at risk for hydrostatic pressure buildup, soil saturation, and erosion—conditions that can compromise the stability of reinforced concrete structures over time.

ODOT recognized that poor water drainage behind reinforced concrete barriers would increase maintenance costs and structural risk. To mitigate these concerns, the agency initiated a drainage improvement project using high-quality, corrosion-resistant weep hole assemblies.

JET Filter System supplied and supported the installation of six maintainable weep hole drains (JF4SS) as part of the integral bridge abutment drainage upgrade.

Installed Components:

✅ 6 units of 4” open-end ASTM 316/316L Stainless Steel Housing

✅ Mirafi® Filter-Weave FW 300 Geotextile Media to prevent soil migration

✅ Seamless integration into reinforced concrete abutment barriers

These components were installed at key points along the abutment walls to:

•  Relieve hydrostatic pressure

•  Prevent soil loss

•  Improve long-term drainage maintainability

The ODOT in-house engineering and construction team managed the full project, ensuring quality control and adherence to state infrastructure standards.

Integral bridges are designed to eliminate expansion joints, but they still require robust drainage systems to handle groundwater and stormwater runoff behind abutments. Without proper weep hole integration, the risk of:

• Foundation erosion

• Wall deflection

• Concrete cracking

• Costly long-term maintenance
  … increases significantly.

JET Filter maintainable drainage systems offer a reliable, long-term solution for preventing these issues in integral bridge abutment drainage designs.