| ||||
|
August 4, 2008
August 1, 2008
July 29, 2008
-
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Early clues to I35W collapse?
I’ll stick with my early “hinge/bearing” theory which no one else seems to notice. If this element didn’t flex it would result in stress and more metal fatiuge on the bridge. The prime cause was a miscalculation of gusset plates that got buy here. For the most part gusset plates are grossely overbuilt so they wern’t a problem. As for stuck bearing/hinges they further stress the bridge.
That said, I prefer to focus on the future and how the I35 bridge is the “bridge of the future”. Here is the story.
http://www.startribune.com/local/26012884.html
Clue on 35W bridge might have been missed
The National Transportation Safety Board has not ruled out the possibility that Minnesota transportation officials missed a potential clue to the impending failure of the Interstate 35W bridge, NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker said Monday.
One year after the structure collapsed, killing 13 people, the federal agency is still studying whether photos of critical gusset plate connections taken by inspectors in 1999 should have prompted MnDOT to take action, Rosenker said. The photos showed bowing or warping of the plates.
“Should that be a signal or a symptom of an upcoming catastrophe? We don’t know yet, but that’s being analyzed as we speak,” he said. “We believe we’ll have that answer.”
Rosenker declined to disclose any new findings. But his comments were a shift from a controversial statement he made in January that there was no way for MnDOT to have known about the gusset plate defect.
Rosenker said the final probable-cause report on the bridge collapse will be complete within 90 to 100 days. The findings will be aired at a public meeting of NTSB board members that could last two days, he said.
The process should answer all questions about MnDOT’s 40-year stewardship of the bridge, he said.
“You will have an excellent idea of what happened and why,” Rosenker said.
Over the next “days and weeks,” investigators will post certain findings in the case at www.ntsb.gov. Rosenker said the final docket of public information will include 19,000 pictures of the bridge and a computerized video model of how the structure fell.
Since early on in the investigation, the federal agency has linked the accident to weight on the bridge deck having overwhelmed steel gusset plates. The plates were originally designed in the mid-1960s to be 1/2-inch thick instead of the necessary 1 inch, the NTSB has said.
Rosenker said the final report also will address whether MnDOT officials approved the loading of heavy construction materials on the bridge. Weight loads from the repaving project have been studied as a possible contributing factor in the collapse.
Rosenker said other questions that will be covered in the final report include whether high temperatures or vibration from the repaving work contributed to the collapse. He said the report also will answer whether heavily corroded bearings on the bridge played a role in its failure.
Besides determining a precise probable cause for the disaster, the NTSB is likely to make new safety recommendations. For one thing, Rosenker said, it has contacted about one-third of all state transportation departments in an effort to find the best approach to creating, approving and implementing bridge engineering designs.
Action and diagnoses
In Minnesota, MnDOT has moved to fix flawed practices exposed during early scrutiny of the bridge disaster. For instance, MnDOT had a history of inaction when it came to repairing corrosion, locked bearings and other problems that were spotlighted year after year in bridge inspection reports.
MnDOT said in June that a new process has been implemented to ensure that inspection reports receive internal review by specially designated decisionmakers.
Two investigative reports related to the collapse have already been produced, and various parties to pending litigation have been forming conclusions about the disaster.
On Friday, for instance, the repaving contractor released findings from an engineering study that blamed the collapse on undersized gusset plates and “load creep” unrelated to the repaving underway when the bridge collapsed.
Kyle Hart, the attorney representing Progressive Contractors Inc., said two previous construction projects ordered by MnDOT added 4.08 million pounds of concrete to the bridge. He said that additional weight, coupled with years of unchecked corrosion in the bridge’s superstructure, left almost no margin of safety in terms of load capacity.
“If the bridge had been properly designed and maintained or repaired, the weight we placed on the bridge during construction would have been far below the amount of weight necessary to initiate collapse,” Hart said.
Oberstar’s involvement
During the early months of the NTSB investigation, Rosenker drew sharp criticism from U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The Minnesota Democrat said in January that Rosenker made rushed public remarks about the investigation that seemed to rule out corrosion, maintenance and metal fatigue as contributing factors. The congressman was irked by the NTSB’s decision not to hold a public hearing midway through the investigation.
Late last week, Oberstar said he is confident that the final report will show multiple causes for the failure. He also said that he’s seen no evidence of partisanship in the investigation.
“If the board does its job, it will cite corrosion, metal fatigue, under-design of the gusset, failure to conduct periodic, effective inspection of and maintenance of the bridge structure itself,” Oberstar said. “A combination of those factors should be the principal elements of probable cause for failure of the bridge.”
He said the NTSB’s final report on the bridge collapse will arrive in time to influence next year’s congressional funding decisions on surface transportation across the country.
Tony Kennedy 612-673-4213
© 2008 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.
July 28, 2008
-
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.
July 22, 2008
-
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.
July 8, 2008
-
I-35W Bridge over the MississippiJuly 7, 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.Main Span Nears Completion
The day after Minneapolis celebrated the Fourth of July with fireworks over the Mississippi (above), construction crews installed the last of the 60 pre-cast segments for the northbound span of the bridge (below). Crews will install the final 14 segments for the southbound span this week.
Crews will fill the gaps between the cantilevers with two “closure pours” of cast-in-place concrete–one this week for the northbound span and the other next week for the southbound span.
Construction Update
Other construction activities scheduled for the week of July 7 include:
- Pouring the concrete for Span 4 (in the areas where the green epoxy-coated rebar has been placed, above), which connects Pier 4 to Abutment 5 on the north side of the river.
- Removing the falsework (temporary support structures) under the approach span on the south side of the river.
- Additional highway paving between University Avenue and Fourth Street Southeast, including the medians, shoulders and ramps.
- Installing light poles along the highway south of Washington Avenue and the northbound entrance ramp from Washington Avenue to I-35W (several light poles were installed last week along the highway on the north side).
- Grading and other roadwork in preparation for paving the highway from Washington Avenue to the abutment wall on the south end of the bridge.
Potential Noise Impacts
- As crews pave the roadway on the north side of the project, backup alarms may be increasingly noticeable in that area, 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 night.
- Toward the end of the week, crews will need to remove sheet pile near the new retaining wall along the exit ramp from northbound I-35W to University Avenue. This work will take approximately two days to complete and will require the use of equipment that causes noise and vibrations. Because this work can be loud, it will only be done during the day, between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Potential Traffic Impacts
As the project progresses, residents and commuters may encounter activities that will affect traffic in the area. In particular:
- The right lane of University Avenue will be closed from 7 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday while the entrance and exit ramps are paved with concrete.
- During roadway paving operations, concrete trucks will travel from the concrete plant on I-35W south of Washington Avenue 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.
- Due to large crowds attending 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.
Potential 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:City of Minneapolis Route Planner http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/traffic/routeplannerintro.aspMinnesota Department of TransportationGetting a Closer Look
Tune in to KSTP-TV - Mn/DOT Project Manager Jon Chiglo will discuss the final steps of connecting the main spans of the bridge during a live interview with KSTP-TV, Channel 5 at 6:10 a.m. Monday, July 14.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.
June 30, 2008
-
I-35W Bridge over the MississippiJune 30, 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.Highway Paving to Begin This Week
Roadway crews will begin paving sections of the I-35W highway north of the river this week. Starting tonight (June 30), crews will begin paving the highway between University Avenue and Second Street Southeast (the area in the foreground of the photo above). By next week, paving is expected to continue between University Avenue and Fourth Street Southeast.
Meanwhile, the barge crane continues installing pre-cast segments for the northbound and southbound spans of the I-35W Bridge across the Mississippi (see photo above). Of the 120 total segments needed for the main span, 80 already are in place, and approximately 100 will be installed by the end of the week, including all 60 of the segments for the northbound half of the bridge.
When the cantilevers extending from both sides of the river are complete, there will be a gap of about 7 feet between them and a difference in elevation of no more than 6 inches. Crews will complete the main span with two “closure pours” of cast-in-place concrete. The closure pour for the northbound side of the bridge is scheduled for the week of July 7, and the southbound side will be closed about 10 days later.Construction Update
Other construction activities scheduled for the week of June 30 include:
- Grading and other roadwork in preparation for paving the highway from Washington Avenue (the road with cars on it in the photo above) to the abutment wall on the south end of the bridge (to the right of the area shown above). Continuing to paint Span 1 on the north side of the river.
- Continuing to pour the concrete for Span 4, which connects Pier 4 to Abutment 5 on the north side of the river.
- Installing fencing along the highway from University Avenue to Fourth Street Southeast.
Potential Noise Impacts
- As crews pave the roadway on the north side of the project, backup alarms may be increasingly noticeable in that area, especially at night.
- Following paving, crews will cut expansion joints in the concrete when it is cured. This work involves saws that will create noise intermittently during the day and at night.
- Toward the end of the week, crews will need to remove sheet pile near the new retaining wall along the exit ramp from northbound I-35W to University Avenue. This work will take approximately two days to complete and will require the use of equipment that causes noise and vibrations. Because this work can be loud, it will only be done during the day, between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Potential Traffic Impacts
As the project progresses, residents and commuters may encounter activities that will affect traffic in the area. In particular:
- During roadway paving operations, concrete trucks will travel from the concrete plant on 35W south of Washington Avenue through the project site and up the north bound 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.
- Crews will periodically close 13th Avenue South from the casting yard entrance to West River Parkway as they transport the last of the pre-cast segments to the river. Hauling operations will take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. intermittently until the end of the week. The road will close for up to 10 minutes each time a segment is moved.
- 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.
- Due to large crowds attending 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.
Potential Light Impacts
Crews are working night shifts seven days a week on both sides of the river. Lights and construction traffic may be noticeable between 5:30 p.m. and 4 a.m.
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
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.
June 23, 2008
-
I-35W Bridge over the MississippiJune 23, 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.Bridge’s Main Span Nearly Half Done
With 58 of the 120 total pre-cast segments already installed, the main span of the I-35W Bridge over the Mississippi (above) is nearly half done. The barge crane will continue installing up to six segments a day until the main span is complete.Construction Update
Other construction activities scheduled for the week of June 23 include:
- Continuing to paint Span 1 on the south side of the river (see the before and after views in the photo above) and beginning to paint Span 3 on the north side.
- Setting up a concrete batch plant and preparing to pave sections of the I-35W roadway north of the river.
- Installing fencing along the highway from University Avenue to Fourth Street Southeast.
- Installing foundations for lighting and signs near the entrance and exit ramps at University Avenue and Washington Avenue.
- Pouring the northbound lanes of Span 4, which will bridge the gap between Pier 4 and Abutment 5 on the north side.
The aerial photo below shows, from top to bottom, Span 1 on the south bank of the Mississippi, the narrowing gap over the river where the main span is being constructed, Span 3, the northbound lanes of Span 4, a section of highway yet to be paved, the partially paved Second Street Bridge, and more unpaved highway, including the exit ramp to University Avenue on the left.
Potential Noise Impacts
- The concrete crushing machine that was previously used on the north side of the project is now set up at Abutment 1 on the south side. As crews complete the demolition of the old road bed on I-35W, the crusher will break the large chunks of concrete into gravel that can be used for the base of the new roadway. The concrete crusher will operate between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. until the end of the week.
- As night-time paving begins on the north side of the project, backup alarms may be increasingly noticeable in that area.
- Following paving, crews will need to make cuts in the concrete to prevent cracking. Sawing the expansion joints will create noise intermittently during day and night shifts.
Potential Traffic Impacts
As the project progresses, residents and commuters may encounter activities that will affect traffic in the area. In particular:
- 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. intermittently until the end of June. The road will close for up to 10 minutes each time a segment is moved.
- 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 and 19th Avenue South, Bluff Street south to 13th Avenue South, and Second Street South (between 13th Avenue South and 11th Avenue South).
Potential Light Impacts
Crews are working night shifts seven days a week on both sides of the river. Lights and construction traffic may be noticeable between 5:30 p.m. and 4 a.m.
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
Watch upcoming TV coverage – Jon Chiglo, Mn/DOT’s project manager, will describe progress about the erection of the main span of the bridge and other construction components during a live interview on Sunday, June 29. Tune in to WCCO TV (Channel 4) between 10:30 and 11 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 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.
Archives
- April 2011 (1)
- January 2009 (1)
- November 2008 (1)
- September 2008 (4)
- August 2008 (5)
- July 2008 (6)
- June 2008 (7)
- May 2008 (4)
- March 2008 (5)
- February 2008 (5)