Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend March 16, 2006 Depot Street bridge construction under way again By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune ROGUE RIVER — Construction crews are back at work on the $14 million Depot Street Bridge replacement after resolving fears about potential cable corrosion. Work on the 550-ton, 300-foot-long bridge was halted in early October when corrosion was discovered in the lower cable anchor assemblies of the bridge, said Jackson County Engineer Mike Kuntz. On Tuesday, Kuntz received news the rust had not infected the cables’ core in a summary report by Jeremy Hailey, an independent engineer from Northwest Corrosion Engineering in Washington. "That is really good news," Kuntz said on Wednesday. The cable assembly company, Houston Structures Inc., had hired the independent expert to determine the level of corrosion. Advertisement The structural integrity of the tied-arch portion of the bridge could have been compromised if the external cable corrosion had found its way down into the anchors and back up into the cables’ core, he said. "But we’ve determined that is not the case," Kuntz stressed. The report came back with "the best possible news we could have received." Justin Acacio, an engineer for project designer David Evans and Associates, agreed. "We feel comfortable with the findings of the report," said Acacio. "We’re really glad to be back to work." Fixing the exterior corrosion will require releasing the 3-inch diameter steel cables from the anchor system and cleaning them with wire brushes. The cables’ flared ends will be coated with a zinc-based anti-corrosion material and rehoused in the cable anchor, he said. The relatively easy remedy means the complicated project should be back on track to receive traffic in mid-to-late April, said Kuntz. Community concerns in the Rogue River area over having no local access across the river for an estimated two-year construction period resulted in a unique construction plan. The concrete arch span portion of the bridge was designed on a temporary, offset alignment 25 feet upriver from its permanent destination. That portion of the bridge will be hydraulically jacked into its downriver location by Mammoet, a Holland-based engineering firm, once the old bridge is removed and the Highway 99 and Interstate 5 approaches are completed. The crossing will be completely closed for about five days while the bridge is slowly moved into place, said Kuntz. But first the old structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridge must be dismantled. Removing the smaller, steel truss bridge is necessary because its proximity to the new bridge inhibits completion of the landmark project, he added. "The two (bridges) are so close together, we can’t even finish the sidewalks (on the downstream side of the new bridge) until the old one is gone," said Kuntz. Construction began in May 2003. Originally scheduled to be open by Thanksgiving 2005, the final completion date for the bridge is now estimated at Labor Day. Acacio is looking forward to celebrating the bridge’s successful completion. "Everybody on this project is dedicated to giving the people of this community the bridge that they deserve," said Acacio. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail Depot Street bridge construction under way again ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Absinthe Supply Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Debt Consolidation California Casinos Generic Viagra Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Hammocks Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada King of Spirits Advertisement s Advertisement