With steel support structures stretching from Abutment 1 ever closer to the south bank of the river (above), and with rebar lining the forms resting on top, crews expect to be ready to begin pouring the concrete for the soffits and stems of the first span of the superstructure before the end of March.

As the weather warms up, the columns are shedding layers like the rest of us. Earlier this week, crews removed the steel forms from columns at Pier 2 southbound (above) and Pier 3 northbound (below).

Other major accomplishments this week included setting up a 600-ton capacity ringer crane in the area known as Bohemian flats and continuing to pour additional pre-cast segments for the main span of the bridge. For the first time since casting began Jan. 31, crews poured two segments in one day on Thursday, March 20. A total of 120 segments are needed, and 24 are now done.

Work scheduled for the week of March 24 includes:

• beginning construction of the Gabion walls on the south side near Bluff Street
• continuing to build the temporary support structures for the side spans, extending them toward the piers on both sides of the river
• continuing to pour at least one segment a day in the casting yard.

Potential Noise Impacts

Hammering noise will accompany the work on the temporary support structures taking place on both sides of the river.

Potential Light Impacts

Crews are working night shifts seven days a week on both sides of the river as well as in the casting yard. Lights may be noticeable between 5:30 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Potential Traffic Impacts

Street Closures Needed at 14th Avenue South and First Street South –

Beginning on March 24 and continuing through the end of May, 14th Avenue South and First Street South (near the Seven Corners Apartments) will be closed to allow utility relocation and widening of I-35W northbound, as mentioned above.  Access to the parking ramp will be maintained during this time period.  Note that on-site parking in the area will be restricted to allow two-way traffic along Second Street South from 19th Avenue to the clusure.

10th Avenue Bike Lane Closed – Due to the increasingly large crowds showing up at recent Sidewalk Superintendent Talks, the bike lane on the west side of the 10th Avenue Bridge will be closed from 11 a.m. until noon on Saturdays until further notice in an effort to ensure the safety of everyone using the bridge. The City of Minneapolis has posted signs that indicate the restriction at each end of the bridge. Bikes and pedestrians should use the lane on the east side of the bridge between 11 a.m. and noon on Saturdays.

Truck Traffic – Trucks will be departing from the construction site regularly during daylight hours, going east on Second Street SE, north on 11th Avenue SE, and the east on University Avenue.

Planning Your Route to Downtown Minneapolis – The Minnesota Twins home opener is scheduled for Monday, March 31, and to ease traffic congestion, the Twins strongly urge fans to utilize public transportation when possible. If you are planning to drive to the game, or anywhere else downtown, you can use the links below to plan your route:

City of Minneapolis Route Planner

www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/traffic/routeplannerintro.asp

Minnesota Department of Transportation

http://projects.dot.state.mn.us/35wbridge/traffic.html