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Month: May 2008
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I-35W Bridge over the MississippiMay 13, 2008Greetings! If you have questions, please do not reply directly to this email. Contact
Amy Barrett, Public Information Officer, at (612) 236-6901 or via e-mail at abarrett@flatironcorp.com.Road Bed on Approach Spans Poured
Crews have begun pouring concrete for the road beds of the approach spans on the south side of the river on the I-35W Bridge. Half of the northbound approach span was poured last Thursday and the first southbound half was poured Sunday afternoon. Crews anticipate pouring concrete for the remaining northbound road bed on the south approach span sometime this week.Construction Update
Other work scheduled for the week includes:
Construction of the pre-cast concrete segments in the casting yard. As of Monday, 94 of the necessary 120 segments have been built. Crews plan to build another nine this week.
- Hauling the pre-cast segments from the casting yard to Bohemian Flats. Workers began hauling segments late last week, and will continue this week. As of Monday, 14 segments have been hauled. Throughout the week, crews expect to haul approximately 6 segments each day. Each of the segments weighs between 150 and 200 tons. Crews will periodically close 13th Avenue South from the casting yard entrance to West River Parkway as they transport pre-cast segments to the river. Hauling operations will take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., seven days a week for up to five weeks. The road will close for up to 10 minutes each time a segment is moved.
- Pouring concrete for the bottoms and sides of the approach spans on the north side of the river.
Area residents and motorists will experience traffic delays as well as some noise and light disruptions in the coming weeks.
Potential Noise and Light ImpactsBeginning as early as May 20, crews will begin demolishing the road bed on I-35W on the north end of the casting yard. This work will occur around the clock and could last as long as four weeks.Crews are working night shifts seven days a week on both sides of the river as well as in the casting yard. Lights and construction traffic may be noticeable between 5:30 p.m. and 4 a.m.Potential Traffic Impacts13th Avenue South to be Closed During Hauling Operations – Hauling will run along 13th Avenue South and South Second Street to the river’s edge on the south side of the construction site (using the entrance at 13th Avenue South and West River Parkway). Flaggers will be present while hauling is in progress, and traffic attendants will be posted at all driveways along the haul route.Truck Traffic – There will be increased construction traffic in the vicinity of the site. Some of the streets affected include: Second Street Southeast east to 11th Avenue Southeast; Second Street Southeast to Sixth Avenue Southeast, First Street South and 19th Avenue South, Bluff Street south to 13th Avenue South, Second Street South west to 11th Avenue South.Sidewalk/lane closures at Washington and University - The sidewalk on the north side of Washington Avenue may be closed between Seven Corners and 12th Avenue South while crews redo the curb cuts at the corners. Occasional lane closures may also be necessary during this phase of construction. Similar work will take place on University Avenue between Eighth and 10th avenues SE starting in mid-May.Street Closures Needed at 14th Avenue South and First Street South – To allow utility relocation and widening of I-35W northbound, 14th Avenue South and First Street South (near the Seven Corners Apartments) are temporarily closed. Street parking on Second Street South and 14th Avenue is restricted to allow two-way traffic along Second Street South from 19th Avenue to the closure.10th Avenue Bike Lane Closed – The bike lane on the west side of the 10th Avenue Bridge will be closed until further notice from 11 a.m. until noon on Saturdays–when the weekly Sidewalk Talks are in progress–to ensure the safety of everyone using the bridge. The City of Minneapolis has posted signs noting the restriction at each end of the bridge. Bikes and pedestrians are urged to use the lane on the east side of the bridge between 11 a.m. and noon.Planning Your Route to Downtown MinneapolisIf you are planning to drive to downtown Minneapolis, you can use the links below to plan your route:
City of Minneapolis Route Planner http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/traffic/routeplannerintro.aspMinnesota Department of TransportationGetting a Closer Look
Get up-to-the minute updates about progress on the bridge - Jon Chiglo, Mn/DOT Project Manager, will describe what you can expect as the project continues. He’ll appear live at 6:10 a.m., Monday, May 19 on KSTP-TV, Channel 5.
Try the touch-screen kiosk at the airport – A touch-screen kiosk that provides a variety of information about the bridge, including a photo gallery, a timetable and animations showing what the finished bridge will look like from a helicopter, a boat and a car is available at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.Visit the website - The website offers up-to-date information, presentations, graphics, photos and animations, as well as interesting features on workers on the project. You can access the website at www.mndot.gov.Access the webcams - One provides a panoramic view of the entire construction site, looking east from a rooftop on the north side of the Mississippi River. The other camera is mounted on a light pole on the 10th Avenue Bridge and will provide periodic close-ups of construction activities. To see the webcam views, visit the project website at www.mndot.gov.Attend a Sidewalk Superintendent Talk - These weekly events provide an opportunity to accompany project representatives on a walk across the 10th Avenue Bridge, where you can see the construction workers in action and ask questions about the project. If you’d like to participate, meet in the parking lot in front of Grandma’s restaurant at 19th and Washington avenues by 11 a.m. on any Saturday.Take a self-guided tour - Signs describing the design/build process are mounted along the 10th Avenue Bridge.Call the hotline - If you have any questions about the project, please call the hotline at (612) 236-6901 between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. Messages left after 8 p.m. will be returned first thing the morning of the next business day.Request a presentation - Representatives of Mn/DOT and Flatiron-Manson are willing and eager to provide project updates to neighborhood associations, business associations and other groups. To arrange a presentation, please call the hotline, (612) 236-6901.Other than viewing what’s happening from the 10th Avenue Bridge, the public is asked to stay away from the bridge construction area for safety reasons.The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) and the Flatiron-Manson construction team intend to build a high quality and safe bridge while minimizing disruptions 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.govor call the I-35W Bridge Hotline at (612) 236-6901. -
I-35W Bridge over the MississippiMay 5, 2008Greetings! Attention: The weekly update will now be distributed at the beginning of the week instead of end of the week.If you have questions, please do not reply directly to this email. Contact
Amy Barrett, Public Information Officer, at (612) 236-6901 or via e-mail at abarrett@flatironcorp.com.Two of Eight Casting Beds Complete
Crews have completed building pre-cast concrete segments on two of eight casting beds for the I-35W Bridge. As of last week, 84 of the 120 pre-cast segments needed for the main span of the bridge were complete. Crews plan to finish 12 or more this week.Segments Arrive at Bohemian FlatsOn Friday, May 2, crews hauled the first of the main span segments down to Bohemian Flats. The first segment hauled weighed approximately 200 tons and stood 25 feet tall. The segments are hauled on a heavy haul trailer at a slow speed out of the casting yard, down 13th Avenue South to West River Parkway. From start (casting yard) to finish (Bohemian Flats), the hauling process for an individual segment takes about 15 minutes. As of today, five segments have been hauled. Crews anticipate being able to haul 6 segments each day.Hauling operations will take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., seven days a week for up to five weeks. The hauling route will be closed for up to 10 minutes each time a segment is moved.Below, crews are preparing and moving the first segment in the casting yard to the flat bed truck.
Construction Update
Other work scheduled for the week includes:
- Pouring concrete for the bottoms and sides of the approach spans on both sides of the river.
- Constructing the walls for the Second Street bridges on the north side of the project.
- Bleeding the gas main. Centerpoint Energy will bleed a gas main in the vicinity of 19th Avenue South and Second Street South this afternoon.
As the project progresses, residents and commuters may encounter activities that will affect the traffic in the area.Potential Traffic Impacts13th Avenue South to be Closed During Hauling Operations – Hauling will run along 13th Avenue South and South Second Street to the river’s edge on the south side of the construction site (using the entrance at 13th Avenue South and West River Parkway). Traffic attendants will be present while hauling is in progress.Truck Traffic – There will be increased construction traffic in the vicinity of the site. Some of the streets affected include: Second Street Southeast east to 11th Avenue Southeast; Second Street Southeast to Sixth Avenue Southeast, First Street South and 19th Avenue South, Bluff Street south to 13th Avenue South, Second Street South west to 11th Avenue South.Sidewalk/lane closures at Washington and University – The sidewalk on the north side of Washington Avenue may be closed between Seven Corners and 12th Avenue South while crews redo the curb cuts at the corners. Occasional lane closures may also be necessary during this phase of construction. Similar work will take place on University Avenue between Eighth and 10th Avenues SE starting in mid-May.Street Closures Needed at 14th Avenue South and First Street South – To allow utility relocation and widening of I-35W northbound, 14th Avenue South and First Street South (near the Seven Corners Apartments) are temporarily closed. Street parking on Second Street South and 14th Avenue is restricted to allow two-way traffic along Second Street South from 19th Avenue to the closure.10th Avenue Bike Lane Closed – The bike lane on the west side of the 10th Avenue Bridge will be closed until further notice from 11 a.m. until noon on Saturdays–when the weekly Sidewalk Talks are in progress–to ensure the safety of everyone using the bridge. The City of Minneapolis has posted signs noting the restriction at each end of the bridge. Bikes and pedestrians are urged to use the lane on the east side of the bridge between 11 a.m. and noon.Potential Noise and Light ImpactsCrews are working night shifts seven days a week on both sides of the river as well as in the casting yard. Lights and construction traffic may be noticeable between 5:30 p.m. and 4 a.m.As crews begin to relocate utilities and widen the highway on the south side of the construction site, there will be noticeable hammering as they remove the old asphalt, curbs and gutters. Back-up alarms will also be noticeable as trucks are loaded in that area.Hammering noise will accompany falsework construction on the north side of the river.Planning Your Route to Downtown Minneapolis - If you are planning to drive to downtown Minneapolis, you can use the links below to plan your route:City of Minneapolis Route Planner http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/traffic/routeplannerintro.aspMinnesota Department of TransportationGetting a Closer Look
Try the touch-screen kiosk at the airport – A touch-screen kiosk that provides a variety of information about the bridge, including a photo gallery, a timetable and animations showing what the finished bridge will look like from a helicopter, a boat and a car is available at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.Visit the website - The website offers up-to-date information, presentations, graphics, photos and animations, as well as interesting features on workers on the project. You can access the website at www.mndot.gov.Access the webcams - One provides a panoramic view of the entire construction site, looking east from a rooftop on the north side of the Mississippi River. The other camera is mounted on a light pole on the 10th Avenue Bridge and will provide periodic close-ups of construction activities. To see the webcam views, visit the project website at www.mndot.gov.Attend a Sidewalk Superintendent Talk - These weekly events provide an opportunity to accompany project representatives on a walk across the 10th Avenue Bridge, where you can see the construction workers in action and ask questions about the project. If you’d like to participate, meet in the parking lot in front of Grandma’s restaurant at 19th and Washington avenues by 11 a.m. on any Saturday.Take a self-guided tour - Signs describing the design/build process are mounted along the 10th Avenue Bridge.Call the hotline - If you have any questions about the project, please call the hotline at (612) 236-6901 between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. Messages left after 8 p.m. will be returned first thing the morning of the next business day.Request a presentation - Representatives of Mn/DOT and Flatiron-Manson are willing and eager to provide project updates to neighborhood associations, business associations and other groups. To arrange a presentation, please call the hotline, (612) 236-6901.Other than viewing what’s happening from the 10th Avenue Bridge, the public is asked to stay away from the bridge construction area for safety reasons.The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) and the Flatiron-Manson construction team intend to build a high quality and safe bridge while minimizing disruptions 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.govor call the I-35W Bridge Hotline at (612) 236-6901. -
Sunday, May 04, 2008
35W bridge on pace to open in September
Construction of the new Interstate 35W bridge is moving so swiftly that its builders say they expect to open it by mid-September instead of late December. Their reward will be an extra $20 million in federal funds.
During a weekly public tour of the construction site Saturday, managers for Flatiron Constructors said the bridge is 65 percent complete and that the hanging of concrete segments over the river could begin as soon as May 14 or 15 — three months earlier than originally scheduled.
Flatiron’s $234 million contract with the Minnesota Department of Transportation calls for the bridge to be completed by Dec. 24, but it includes a $200,000-a-day incentive for each day that the bridge is finished before then, up to 100 days. Sept. 15 would be 100 days early, and “we fully intend to make that,” Peter Sanderson, Flatiron’s manager for the project, said Saturday.
That puts the opening within spitting distance of the Republican National Convention, which runs Sept. 1-4 in St. Paul. But Kevin Gutknecht, a MnDOT spokesman, said the convention is playing no role in the timetable.
“We’ve received absolutely no instruction, guidance or any kind of pressure from anyone, anywhere, about the Republican National Convention,” he said Saturday. “The priority on this project is safety and quality.”
The contract also pays the builders $7 million if they make the original Dec. 24 deadline without asking for additional money to complete the work. The incentives would be paid with federal funds, Gutknecht said.
Sanderson said that they’d been confident since the beginning that they could build at this speed, and that the relatively snowless winter had helped.
MnDOT, which has primarily an oversight role, is more reserved about when the bridge will be complete.
“We are certainly ahead of schedule, there’s no question about that, but there’s still a lot of work to be done,” Gutknecht said. “MnDOT’s not at a point where it’s ready to say ‘yeah, we’re going to get done way early.’”
Last September, a joint venture consisting of Colorado-based Flatiron and Manson Construction was awarded a $234 million contract to replace the bridge. The total cost of the project — including removal of the bridge that collapsed Aug. 1, killing 13 people — has been put at nearly $400 million. The federal government is picking up nearly all of the cost.
Contract went to high bidder
Flatiron-Manson was awarded the project under a MnDOT formula taking into account construction costs, time to completion and factors such as aesthetics and public-relations efforts. At the time of the award in September, critics assailed the agency for choosing the most expensive contract and the longest construction time
Now, if the bridge is finished in 337 days instead of the 437 in Flatiron’s proposal, the construction period will be shorter than any that were proposed — but will widen the cost gap.
One of the four bidders, Maple Grove-based C.S. McCrossan, offered to build a steel bridge in 367 days at a cost of $177 million. The second-shortest time was proposed by the team of Ames/Lunda, also based in the Midwest, which proposed 392 days for $178 million. The fourth bidder, Walsh/American bridge, proposed the same time frame as Flatiron, 437 days, but a lower cost, $219 million.
MnDOT opposes new limit
Under a bill introduced in the Legislature in response to the 35W contract, a design-build project costing more than $10 million couldn’t be awarded to a company whose bid is 120 percent more than the lowest competing bid. MnDOT opposes the bill, which is still being considered at the Capitol.
An earlier bridge opening would be welcomed by commuters and businesses affected by the collapse and its detours. State officials said last fall that the bridge closure is costing Minnesotans $400,000 a day in travel-related expenses alone. The $200,000 daily incentive was arrived at by dividing that number in half.
Gutknecht says the estimate of $400,000 a day, which was based on drive times and fuel costs, is a minimum. “When we figured it out,” he said, “fuel was quite a bit cheaper.”
Jim Foti • 612-673-4491
© 2008 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.
