November 12, 2007
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Greetings!
As a sign of their commitment to ensuring timely communication with residents and businesses affected by the project, Flatiron-Manson hired a public information officer this week to coordinate community outreach efforts. In this new position, Amy Barrett will answer the project hotline (612-236-6901), notify residents and businesses in advance about disruptive aspects of the project (i.e. temporary utility shut-offs and increased noise levels), and coordinate other public information initiatives such as setting up a webcam and information kiosks. If you have questions, please do not reply directly to this email. Instead, Amy can be reached via phone at (612) 807-3264 and via e-mail at abarrett@flatironcorp.com.Permanent Work on I-35W Bridge Begins
This week the first permanent work on the bridge will begin. With the test shaft complete, pile driving is set to begin on the south side of the river.
The following work will occur the week of Nov. 12:
- Pile driving noise will become more noticeable this week.
- Work will occur near the Center Point Energy parking lot. This process involves steel-on-steel impact, which generates a significant amount of noise
- This work will be limited to the hours of 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday.
- Second shifts will begin working on grading on the north side of the river.
- Grading work will occur above the historic rock wall.
- Permanent drilling could occur near the river’s edge late in the week.
- Lights may be noticeable from 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Special “balloon” lights will be used, which radiate down, reducing impacts on area residents.
- Diesel-powered loaders and dump trucks will be used for grading. Diesel engine noise and backup alarms will be noticeable in some area
- Permanent shaft drilling could occur on the south side of the river late next week.
- Crews will be mobilizing shaft drilling equipment for drilling at Pier 2 on the south side of the river, down at river level, near the Lower Lock Wall.
- Crews continue work on casting yard project.
- Layout work is starting this week.
- Materials will be delivered for forming the center span segments.
- The yard is located on 35W between Washington Ave. and the end of the roadway. Pre-cast sections of the bridge will be made in this location.
The public is asked to stay away from the bridge construction area for safety reasons. The best place to view construction activity is the west side of the 10th Avenue Bridge.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) and the Flatiron-Manson construction team intend to build a high quality and safe bridge while minimizing interruptions to the surrounding neighborhoods.
We will continue to distribute updates weekly and welcome your comments on how to improve the communication process between the project team and the community.
For more information on the I-35W project visit www.mndot.gov or call the I-35W Bridge Hotline at 612-236-6901.
——————————————I-35W Bridge over the MississippiNov. 6, 2007Dear Greg, This is an update on the new I-35W bridge over the Mississippi. If you have questions, please do not reply directly to this email. Please visit http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/rebuild and click on “Project Contacts.”I-35W bridge “Sidewalk Superintendent Talks” to begin Nov. 10
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Flatiron-Manson construction team will begin weekly Sidewalk Superintendent Talks for the new St. Anthony Falls (Interstate 35W) Bridge Replacement Project this Saturday, Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. The talks are free and open to the public.
During the Saturday Superintendent Sidewalk Talks, representatives of Flatiron-Manson will lead community members to the 10th Avenue Bridge and explain the construction underway, as well as answer questions and address concerns. No reservations are required.
“Mn/DOT is committed to answering questions about the bridge and doing whatever we can to address the concerns of the residents of the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Jon Chiglo, Mn/DOT project manager. “The Sidewalk Superintendent Talks are one of many regular opportunities community members will have over the course of bridge construction to stay involved in this project.”
Mn/DOT and the Flatiron-Manson construction team have already worked to minimize construction noise at the bridge site. For example, most of the bridge piers will be built by drilling shafts instead of driving “pile” into the bedrock foundations of the site. Drilled shafts are much less noisy and disruptive, Chiglo said. Construction crews will limit noisy work during nighttime hours and are doing what they can to limit the “backup alarm” noise of construction vehicles.
The talks are one of many ways Mn/DOT and Flatiron-Manson will keep two-way communication open with residents, businesses and other Minnesotans throughout the project. Notice of other community meetings and information sessions will be forthcoming.
What: I-35W Sidewalk Superintendent Talks
Who: Led by Flatiron-Manson team representatives for community members and media
When: 11 a.m. every Saturday, beginning Nov. 10, 2007
Where: Meet at the parking lot next to Grandma’s Saloon at Washington Avenue South and 19th Avenue in Minneapolis. Public parking is available along Washington Avenue South.
For more information, visit the Mn/DOT Web site at www.mndot.gov or call the 35W Bridge Hotline at 612/236-6901. - Pile driving noise will become more noticeable this week.
