May 28, 2008
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I-35W Bridge over the MississippiMay 28, 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.Crews hang first pair of main-span segments on I-35W Bridge project
On Sunday, crews began the main-span erection process, hanging the first pair on the northbound approach on the south side of the river. A large crowd was on hand to watch the placement from the 10th Avenue Bridge. Placement of the segments is a precise procedure involving hydraulic jacks and detailed surveying to have the segment within one-sixteenth of an inch of computer modeling. Crews wait several days before the next segment placement to allow time for the closure pour (between the main span segment and the approach span), concrete curing and post-tensioning work in preparation for the next segment placement. The next pair is expected to be erected mid-week this week.
Big Ben begins lifting the first segment from the barge up to the approach span (above).
The segment is moved up to the approach span height (above) as crews monitor alignment.
With the segment aligned, crews begin aligning tensioning cables and prepare to anchor the segment (above).Demolition work on north end of I-35WCrews have begun demolition of the old road bed on the portion of I-35W at the north end of the casting yard (on the south side of the river). This work will involve the use of equipment to break up the old roadway so it can be rebuilt. As a result, significant thumping noise may occur. This work will take place between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. and could last as long as four weeks.Construction Update
Other work scheduled for the week includes:- Construction of the pre-cast concrete segments in the casting yard. As of Tuesday, there are only eight segments left to be built before reaching the 120 needed segments for the main span.
- Continue pouring concrete for the northbound and southbound approach spans on the north side of the project. The first road-bed pour was conducted over the weekend and the north approach is expected to be complete by mid-week.
- Hauling the pre-cast segments from beds one through four from the casting yard to Bohemian Flats. More than 30 segments have already been hauled out of the casting yard. Crews are also storing segments along the old Washington Avenue southbound ramp as space becomes limited at Bohemian Flats. 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.
- Decking, grading, soffet construction and rebar placement on the 2nd Street bridge.
Area residents and motorists will experience traffic issues as well as some noise and light disruptions in the coming weeks.
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.
Potential Traffic ImpactsWashington Avenue Bridge Lane Closure – The westbound lane of Washington Avenue will be closed during the night shifts on Tuesday, May 27 and Wednesday, May 28 to allow removal of segment one from casting beds seven and eight, which is in close proximity to the Washington Avenue bridge.13th 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.
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
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.
