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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend January 15, 2007 Depot Street Bridge problems continue Shifting plates on the underside of the Rogue River bridge await replacement pad By sanne specht Mail Tribune ROGUE RIVER — Construction snafus continue to complicate the completion of the Depot Street Bridge, county officials say. "There's this domino effect," said Jackson County engineer Mike Kuntz. The latest problem to plague crews working on the unique 5,500-ton, 300-foot creation arching over the Rogue River was how to repair a damaged metal plate on the underside of the bridge, said Kuntz. Built in an offset location 27 feet upriver from its final destination, the bridge was moved into place with the aid of hydraulic jacks in September 2006. However, its deck remains "floating" above the bridge's north and south abutments — awaiting the installation of a replacement plate to be placed over the bridge's open joints. Advertisement "That (plate) sits between the bridge's floating deck and the abutment," said Kuntz. Originally, crews tried to fix the pad. Now they are going to replace the 1-inch-thick plate. "The main thing is getting one ordered, fabricated and delivered," said Kuntz. Meanwhile, temporary steel plates on top of the bridge deck continue to shift and move under heavy traffic. The "walking" creates hazardous open sections in the bridge deck, said City Administrator Mark Reagles. City, county and state workers have twice had to assist in moving the heavy plates back into place, Reagles said. "The first time ODOT put it back into place with a snowplow," Reagles said. "The second time one of our police officers found it. We notified Jackson County public works." Reagles also called in crews from the Rogue River Fire District. "They were able to hook onto it with the fire truck and put it back into place," said Reagles. "Construction crews finally welded the plates into place." Work on the bridge began in May 2003. Originally scheduled for completion around Thanksgiving 2005, work has been slowed by winter storms in 2006, and several problems with the cables that support the deck. The delays pushed the timetable back to Christmas. Kuntz said the schedule for road and bridgework completion has been pushed back to March or April. "And we are into May for final paving," he said. "But that's going to be very weather dependent." As delays continue, so do penalties against Ross Brothers Construction, which has been accruing fines of $1,600 a day since Jan. 1, 2006, said Kuntz. "The fines have just exceeded $600,000," said Kuntz. Ross Brothers representatives have said they plan to appeal the penalties. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com