Famous Elkhart bridge to come down.
The Bill Mitchell bridge situated between turns 13 and 14 of the beautiful Road America circuit at Elkhart Lake is to be torn down this winter as the circuit ploughs ahead with an ambitious new tunnel underpass.
The well known circuit landmark, which has seen several drivers come to grief against its concrete abutments over the years, including most memorably Memo Gidley in a Champ Car race five years ago, will be replaced by a new multi-lane state-or-the-art tunnel that will run under the track, offering much improved access to the paddock area of the four mile course.
The Bill Mitchell bridge situated between turns 13 and 14 of the beautiful Road America circuit at Elkhart Lake is to be torn down this winter as the circuit ploughs ahead with an ambitious new tunnel underpass.
The well known circuit landmark, which has seen several drivers come to grief against its concrete abutments over the years, including most memorably Memo Gidley in a Champ Car race five years ago, will be replaced by a new multi-lane state-or-the-art tunnel that will run under the track, offering much improved access to the paddock area of the four mile course.
The new project, which will be completed by May 2007, is part of the track's long-range facility improvement plan.
The new tunnel is located approximately 100 yards south of the farmhouse office, and provides access to the paddock between turns 13 and 14. Designed to accommodate two lanes of vehicle traffic and two pedestrian walkways, the tunnel has a 16.5' clearance and is 36 feet wide and 168 feet long.
The tunnel's unique pre-cast concrete roofing structure enabled the tunnel to be located in this desirable location near the farmhouse office and Gate 1. When completed, the tunnel will be the main entrance point into the paddock.
The Champ Car World Series is scheduled to return to Road America in August 2007 as the track celebrates its 52nd year of operation.
