July 22, 2008
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I-35W Bridge over the MississippiJuly 22, 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 Close Gaps between CantileversConstruction crews closed the gap on the northbound span of the I-35W bridge on Wednesday night, July 16, by pouring concrete into forms built between the cantilevers extending from both sides of the river. The closure pour on the southbound span will take place this week.
It took seven concrete trucks, loaded with eight cubic yards of concrete each, to supply the concrete needed to fill the form.
Here (above) is what it looked like inside the form, while the pour was in progress.
After about three hours, most of the concrete had been placed, and the surface of the deck had been smoothed out.Construction Update
Other construction activities scheduled for the week of July 21 include:- Beginning to pave the mainline highway and the Washington Avenue entrance and exit ramps on the south side of the project.
- Pouring the concrete for the deck of the northbound side of Span 4, which connects Pier 4 with Abutment 5 on the north side of the river.
- Continuing to pour the concrete for the section of highway (known as “the sandbox”) between Abutment 5 and the Second Street Bridge on the north side of the river.
- Beginning to paint the columns at Pier 2.
- Removing the falsework (temporary support structures) under Span 3 on the north side of the river.
Noise Impacts
As roadway paving continues on both sides of the river, backup alarms may be increasingly noticeable, especially at night. Following paving, crews will cut expansion joints in the concrete once it has cured. This work involves saws that will create noise intermittently during the day and at night Monday through Saturday. The paving and sawing is nearly done on the north side of the project. It will begin this week on the south side and will continue through the end of July.Traffic ImpactsAs the project progresses, residents and commuters may encounter activities that will affect traffic in the area. In particular:- The left lane of University Avenue will be closed this week while crews replace the signal foundation and install light poles near the entrance ramp to I-35W.
- During roadway paving operations, the need to deliver concrete and other materials will result in increased truck traffic near the site.
- Construction traffic will continue in the vicinity of the site. Some of the streets affected include Second Street Southeast (between 11th Avenue Southeast and Sixth Avenue Southeast), First Street South, Second Street South (between 13th Avenue South and 11th Avenue South),19th Avenue South and Bluff Street.
- Crews are working night shifts seven days a week on both sides of the river. Lights and construction traffic may be noticeable around the clock.
- Due to large crowds attending the 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. Signs are posted at each end of the bridge noting the restriction. Bikes and pedestrians should use the east side of the bridge between 11 a.m. and noon on Saturdays.
Light Impacts
Crews are working night shifts seven days a week on both sides of the river. Lights and construction traffic may be noticeable around the clock.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:
Minnesota Department of TransportationGetting a Closer Look
Watch WCCO-TV this Sunday - Jon Chiglo will discuss work that remains before the bridge opens to traffic. This segment will air between 10:30 and 10:45 a.m.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 the former 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.
