July 28, 2008
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I-35W Bridge over the MississippiJuly 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 to continue pouring concrete on Span 4 of I-35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge Construction crews this week will continue to pour concrete on Span 4, the final span of the I-35W St. Anthony Falls bridge structure.The main span of the bridge over the river was completed last Thursday night, when workers poured concrete and closed the southbound span of the bridge (see below). Once the concrete sets, construction vehicles will be able to drive from one side of the river to the other on the bridge.
In the coming weeks, workers will focus on the project’s remaining work. The work includes paving approach roadways, painting, installing railings, lights and signage, striping the roadway, landscaping and other work that must be complete before the bridge opens to the public between mid-September and early October.All work on the new I-35W Bridge will cease on Aug. 1 between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. in observance of the anniversary of the old bridge’s collapse last year.Construction Update
Other construction activities scheduled for the week of July 28 include:- Finishing replacement of traffic signals and light poles near the I-35W entrance ramp from University Avenue on the north side of the river. The work will result in lane closures along University Avenue.
- Paving the freeway and Washington Avenue entrance and exit ramps on the south side of the project.
- Continuing to pour concrete for the freeway on the north side of the river.
- Continuing to paint the sides and undersides of the bridge.
- Removing the falsework (temporary support structures) under Span 3 on the north side of the river.
- Continuing to build forms for the “pier ears” or concrete covers that will protect the bearings on which the bridge rests on top of the piers. (see below)
- Pouring concrete for the curbs, gutters and sidewalks on Second Street.
- Beginning to construct barrier rails and curbs on the sides of the main span bridge.
Potential Noise,Traffic and Light Impacts
As the project progresses, residents and commuters may encounter activities that will affect traffic and may cause noise or light disruptions, including:- As roadway paving continues on both sides of the river, backup alarms may be noticeable.
- Once the freeway concrete has set, crews will cut expansion joints in the concrete and sandblast the surface at night, creating intermittent noise.
- During roadway paving operations, concrete trucks and trucks delivering material for paving will travel to and from the concrete plant on I-35W south of Washington Avenue. Concrete trucks will travel through the project site and up the northbound ramp to Washington Avenue. Trucks will go left on Washington Avenue to 19th Avenue, then across the 10th Avenue Bridge to the north side of the project. Most of this activity will take place at night. There will be traffic control at the top of the ramp at Washington Avenue.
- 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.
In addition to I-35W Bridge work, Mn/DOT begins concrete rehab work today on a separate project near the bridge. For about the next two weeks, the northbound off-ramp from I-35W to Washington Avenue will be closed. Traffic will be detoured to the west over the Third Street Bridge and then routed to Washington Avenue.
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
Learn about construction progress - Watch Mn/DOT Project Manager Jon Chiglo when he provides a live project update on Saturday, August 2 after 8 a.m. on KARE 11.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.
