November 15, 2001
Upstream and Downstream Stair Towers are now completed.
.........

September 14, 2001
The stair towers, Pier 1 and 3 overlooks and Pier 2 plaza rails have all been installed. The contractor has begun touch-up painting on all the steel work. The temporary barge bridge to Raspberry Island will be removed sometime next week.

August 13, 2001
Work began today to install the railings on the Pier 1 and Pier 3 Overlooks. The rail for the Pier 2 Lower Plaza was delivered today. The red stamped concrete overlay on the Pier 2 Upstream Upper Plaza and several patches on the west walk were poured today.

July 12, 2001
Today the Contractor poured the concrete for the Pier 2 Upper Plaza Overlooks.

July 6, 2001
The Pier 1 and 3 downstream grill work is complete.

June 21, 2001
Erection of the downstream towers is complete. Carpenters began forming the deck slab for the Pier 2 Towers. Work began on the Downstream Pier 3 grill work.

May, 2001
Work resumed on the downstream stair towers.

April, 2001
Work on the downstream stair towers was suspended due to flood.

February, 2001
The Pier 2 upstream steel erection is complete. Work has begun on the Pier 2 downstream erection.

November, 2000
The Bridgeheads and Pier 1 and 3 upstream overlooks are now complete. Work has begun on the Pier 2 upstream stair towers.

August, 2000
Work has begun on the installation of the bridgehead lights and grillage. Work will begin in mid-September on the Pier 1 and 3 overlooks. Installation of the Pier 2 stair towers will begin in October.

March, 2000
Starting this summer the contractor will begin installing the Bridgehead Grillwork at the four corners of the bridge and the Pier 1 and 3 Downstream and Upstream Overlooks. Later, this summer, the contractor will begin installing the Pier 2 Stair Towers work will continue late into the fall.

Project Update - summer 1999
Most of 1999 was spent finishing up work on the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center and completing various punch list items on the bridge and approaches. The Pier 2 Stair Towers, were redesigned in 1998 to provide more stability structure. Shop drawings are being prepared to reflect the design changes. The steel structure will be fabricated  in Chicago and North Carolina beginning this winter and the structures will be erected beginning in late spring of 2000.

Wabasha Bridge Opens to Traffic! - July 15, 1998
A flurry of construction activity on the project over the past two months has prevented the timely updating of this page. The bridge opened to traffic according to schedule. Check out the **Grand Opening Celebration**

May 22, 1998
Here is what has happened since the last update. All of the concrete barrier rail on the bridge has been poured. All of the interior steel barrier railings have been installed. All of the south plaza lights have been installed. The bridge is over 80 percent painted. Most of the north bound bridge pedestrian rail has been installed. The 30 inch diameter watermain inside the bridge is completed and is ready for testing. The north and south expansion joints are installed. Half of the south plaza stairways have been poured. The north and south plaza planters have been filled with top soil. Curbs and base paving is completed on the south approach. The contractor continues work on: the south plaza irrigation system, the north east plaza, the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center Plaza, installation of bridge lighting, the south plaza stairways, clean up of the bridge deck. Next week the contractors will begin: pouring the bridge sidewalk overlays and installation of the south bound bridge pedestrian rails. The bridge is scheduled to open to traffic on July 15. The grand celebration for the bridge opening will be on September 12 with live music and fireworks. I have no other details.

April 21, 1998
The early spring weather has helped to keep the contractors on schedule to open the bridge to traffic on July 15. Work will continue into the fall on the plazas and punch list work items. The big event today is paving of the south Wabasha approach, Water Street, and Levee Road. About 3,000 tons of asphalt will go down today and tomorrow. Today the contractors are also: installing the expansion joints at the north end, forming bridge railings, copings and light bases, painting spans 1 and 2 (north 2 spans), completing the storm sewer main, and grouting of steel tendons inside the bridge superstructure. Several loads of pedestrian bridge rails arrived last week. Installation will begin later this week or early next week. Work will begin in a few weeks on the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center Plaza. Much work remains to be done, but work is moving at a fast pace. Progress on the project will be very visable from week to week.

April 3, 1998
The Contractor has continued to work through out the winter. The screen walls at the three piers and three of four bridge heads have all been completed. The 30 inch watermain inside the bridge is finished. Installation of the expasion devices at the north abutment will continue through next week. The contractor will concentrate their efforts on pouring the concrete bridge rails and copings(deck edge) over the next few weeks. Twenty four of the bridge/roadway lights arrived on Tuesday and more than half of them have been installed this week. The finishing subcontractor has been grinding and smoothing the bridge box girders for the last month and will resume painting of the structure once the weather warms to suitable temperatures. Several miles of wiring has been installed for the lighting and signal wires. Most of the steel barrier railings have been installed on spans 3 and 4. Several subcontractors have moved on to the site to begin their spring work. The sewer subcontractor moved in this week to complete the connection to the storm sewer which requires tunneling under the Union Pacific RR tracks. The grading and curb and gutter subcontractor will begin their work on Monday of next week. The sidewalk and the paving subcontractors will follow later in the month. Look for lots of changes take place over the next several months as finish work is completed. The bridge is scheduled to open to traffic on July 15. Finish work, especially in the plaza, areas will continue through August.

February 13, 1998
It has been a long time since my last update and I apologize. The Contractor completed all of the box girder segments including the closures last October. The closure slab between the two box girders in Span 1 at the north end has also been completed. Once winter weather hit in November we were not able to continue with the concrete barrier rails or the copings on the outside edges of the box girder structure. The Contractor has been working all winter long with a much smaller crew on items that are not suceptable to freezing temperatures. The 30 inch diameter watermain is still being installed in the south bound box girder. NSP, USWEST, CONTINENTAL CABLE, CITY utility conduits and lighting are being installed inside both boxes. The contractor has poured the Pier 1 and Pier 3 concrete screen walls at the overlook locations. The concrete bridge heads at the four corners of the bridge and the Pier 2 screen walls will be poured over the next several weeks. The contractor is also installing the protective timbers on the Pier 1 fender wall. Starting in early March, weather permitting, the contractor will complete the storm sewer connection at the south end and intall the massive bridge expansion devices. Curb, gutter and paving will begin on south Wabasha in late March or early April. Once we get out of the freezing temperatures, the Contractor will resume full operations throughout the project to complete their work. Due to flood conditions last year and other changed conditions, the schedule for opening of the bridge has been changed. The roadway and sidewalks on Wabasha Street are now scheduled to be opened to traffic on July 15, 1998. The North, South and Pier 2 Plazas will remain closed until August 15, 1998. Work will continue after August 15 on punch list items and possibly the downstream Pier 2 stair tower.

November 4, 1997
It has been a long time since my last update and I apologize. The Contractor completed all of the box girder segments including the closures last October. The closure slab between the two box girders in Span 1 at the north end has also been completed. Once winter weather hit in November we were not able to continue with the overlays, concrete barrier rails, or the copings on the box girder structure. The Contractor has been working all winter long with a much smaller crew on items that are not suceptable to freezing temperatures. The 30 inch diameter watermain is still being installed in the south bound box girder. NSP, USWEST, CONTINENTAL CABLE, CITY utility conduits and lighting are being installed inside both boxes. The contractor has poured the Pier 1 and Pier 3 concrete screen walls at the overlook locations. The concrete bridge heads at the four corners of the bridge and the Pier 2 screen walls will be poured over the next several weeks. The contractor is also installing the protective timbers on the Pier 1 fender wall. Starting in early March, weather permitting, the contractor will complete the storm sewer connection at the south end and intall the massive bridge expansion devices. Curb, gutter and paving will begin on south Wabasha in late March or early April. Once we get out of the freezing temperatures, the Contractor will resume full operations throughout the project to complete their work. Due to flood conditions last year and other changed conditions, the schedule for opening of the bridge has been changed. The roadway and sidewalks on Wabasha Street are now scheduled to be opened to traffic on July 15, 1998. The North, South and Pier 2 Plazas will remain closed until August 15, 1998. Work will continue after August 15 on punch list items and possibly the downstream Pier 2 stair tower.

October 13, 1997
The Contractor is nearing completion of the Pier 1 segments. There are 4 segments remaining to be cast, plus four closure segments to join the structure together and a closure pour between the north bound and south bound segments in Span One. The span 2 closure will be tomorrow and Thursday, the north abutment closure in early November. The final closure between the north and south bound bridges in Span One will be in mid November. The roadway and sidewalk concrete overlays will not be placed until the Spring because of cold temperatures. No closures of Shepard Road are anticipated during this phase of the construction.

The Contractor has been applying the special surface finish to the bridge for several months now. The base coats have been applied which show the approximate finished color of the bridge. The Contractor will be forced to cease this operation when we reach freezing temperatures. Installation of the 31 inch diameter watermain continues inside the bridge and will continue through the winter.

Construction of the north abutment plaza slab continues. The Wabasha_Kellogg intersection has been completed for this season and the intersection has been returned to more normal traffic patterns. Next spring the north plaza and cross walk finishes will be installed.

Watermain, storm sewer and utility work is nearly completed in the south approach. Grading continues on the south approach. Curb, gutter and paving will be completed this fall.

The bridge will remain closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic until mid to late May of 1998.

September 29, 1997
The Contractor is nearing completion of the Pier 1 segments. The Contractor has been in production mode, constructing at least one segment per day, some days two. There are 12 segments remaining to be cast, plus four closure segments to join the structure together and a closure pour between the north bound and south bound segments in Span One. The span 2 closure will be in mid October and the north abutment closure in early November. The final closure between the north and south bound bridges in span one will be in mid November. The roadway and sidewalk concrete overlays will not be placed until the Spring because of cold temperatures. No closures of Shepard Road are anticipated during this phase of the construction, however, it will remain as one lane in each direction through next summer.

The Contractor has been applying the special surface finish to the bridge for several weeks now. The base coats have been applied which show the approximate finished color of the bridge.

The Wabasha-Kellogg intersection has been completed for this season and the intersection has been returned to more normal traffic patterns. Next spring the north plaza and cross walk finishes will be installed. Construction of the north abutment plaza walls and slab continues.

Watermain installation continues inside the bridge. The bridge carries a 31" diameter steel watermain that will tie into a 30" ductile iron watermain in the south approach. The watermain is completed and the storm sewer is nearly complete. Utility work will begin this week, US West, NSP, Continental Cable. Grading and

The bridge will remain closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic until mid to late May of 1998.

August 14, 1997
All of the four travelers have now been moved over to Pier 1. Begining today the Contractor will be in production mode, constructing at least one segment per day, some days two. There are 42 segments remaining to be cast, plus four closure segments to join the structure together and a closure pour between the north bound and south bound segments in Span One. This will take until mid-November to complete. The roadway and sidewalk concrete overlays will not be placed until the Spring because of cold temperatures. No closures of Shepard Road are anticipated during this phase of the construction.

The Contractor has been applying the special surface finish to the bridge for several weeks now. The base coats have been applied which show the approximate finished color of the bridge.

Work continues in the Wabasha_Kellogg intersection to reconstruct the pavement and approaches to the bridge. The concrete base pavement is in place. The bituminous overlay will be placed next week. The intersection will be returned to more normal traffic patterns through the fall and winter. Next spring the north plaza and cross walk finishes will be installed.

Watermain installation began this week in the south approach and inside the bridge. The bridge carries a 31" diameter steel watermain that will tie into a 30" ductile iron watermain in the south approach. Once completed, then City storm sewer, US West, NSP, Continental Cable, signals and lighting may be installed.

The bridge will remain closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic until mid to late May of 1998.

July 25, 1997
Dispite all the rain, the Wabasha Street Bridge has progressed very well. The Pier 2 and Pier 3 cantilever segments are complete. The closure segments have been poured which make the bridge continuous from the south abutment to the midspan of span 2. The Pier 1 tables are now complete. For the past two weeks the contractor has been moving two of the travelers over to the south side of Pier 1. Late next week the Contractor will be pouring concrete for the first segments on the south side of Pier 1. The south side travelers will be launched to the south to make room for installation of the northside travelers at Pier 1. Installation of the north side travelers will require occasional night time closures (3AM to 6AM) of Shepard Road. The contractor will install protective netting under the travelers use other safety measures while working over Shepard Road and the railroad tracks.

Work continues in the Wabasha_Kellogg intersection to reconstruct the pavement and approaches to the bridge. The intersection will be paved and open to more normal traffic patterns in three weeks or so.

The south plaza walls are taking shape. All that remains are the outer perimeter walls. Once they are completed, the contractor will begin installing the lighting and irrigation system and then constructing the ramps and stair treads.

Utility work has begun in the south approach on Wabasha. Water, gas, electric, phone, storm and several other utilities need to be installed. This will take several weeks.

June 24, 1997
As of today, we have only two segments at Pier 2 remaining to build before we make the closure pour to join with the Pier 3 segments. The two remaining segments will be finished by Wednesday of this week. Before the closures may be built, two things must happen: (1) the two travellers at the north tips must be removed, (2) the two Pier 3 cantilever spans, which weigh approximately 8 million pounds each, will need to be pushed 1 and 1/16 inch to the south so that they are in the correct position for the temperature at the time of closure.

You see, the bridge will expand and contract with the change in the temperature. The bridge is fixed (does not move) at Pier 2. However, the bridge is allowed to move at Piers 1 and 3 and at the north and south abutments. At these locations the bridge slides on teflon and stainless steel bearings. The bridge will move up to 5 inches, at each end of the bridge, through the year because of seasonal temperature changes.

There is an illustration on the front page of the Metro Section of today's Pioneer Press that may help to understand this. One correction is that the bridge is scheduled to open in May of 1998, not August.

June 3, 1997
The Wabasha Street Bridge project is making great progress! The project lost three weeks of productive work because of the flooding in April. The contractor had to move off of Raspberry Island on April 5 and moved back onto the island on April 28. No bridge work was accomplished during this period. Since that time the contractor has cast 26 sixteen foot long segments and intends to cast at least 5 or 6 segements each week. Shepard Road in the vicinity of the bridge was damaged and required extended closure to accomodate repairs. Work is well under way on the plazas at the north and south ends of the bridge. The flood has pushed the scheduled work into the winter months which will not allow the construction of the finish work and the concrete overlays. It appears now that the bridge will not be open to traffic until mid-May of next year and final completion in mid-August.

May 14, 1997
The Wabasha Street Bridge project lost three weeks of productive work because of the flooding last month. The contractor had to move off of Raspberry Island on April 5 and moved back onto the island on April 28. No bridge work was accomplished during this period. Since that time the contractor has cast twelve 16 foot long segments and intends to cast at least 5 or 6 segements each week. Shepard Road in the vicinity of the bridge was damaged and required extended closure to accomodate repairs. Work is well under way on the plazas at the north and south ends of the bridge. The flood has pushed the scheduled work into the winter months which will not allow the construction of the finish work and the concrete overlays. It appears now that the bridge will not be open to traffic until mid-May of next year.

April 10, 1997
The contractor has made significant progress this winter despite the cold temperatures and the significant snowfall. The form travelers (the blue stuff) are nearly all moved to Pier 2. Three of the four travelers are in place. The Pier 1 fender wall (in the river) is completely enclosed. The Pier 1 south bound twin wall stems remain to be completed. The Pier 2 tables have been completed and two box segments poured. All segments constructed off pier 3 are complete and the closure segment to the south abutment has been constructed.

Flood conditions have halted nearly all work on the bridge structure since Monday of this week. Official flood stage is at gage 14 (elev. 3.5 City datum), this morning we were at gage 20.2 (elev. 9.7 City datum). Crest should be at gage 23.5 (elev. 13.0 City datum) on Sunday. Once the water receeds to an acceptabel level, the Contractor will be able to return to work on the bridge, possibly within a week and a half.

The grading subcontractor has moved back on site now that the frost is out of the ground. The surcharge soil is being removed from the south approach and plaza, and should be completed today.

Pile driving will begin for the south approach retaining wall late next week or early the following week.

The contractor will be working Saturdays from now until November.

March 3, 1997
The Wabasha Street Bridge project has been under way for nearly a year now. The contractors have been working through the winter to meet the "open to traffic" date of November 1, 1997. We poured concrete when it was as cold as 19 degrees Fahrenheit below zero. The contractor has made significant progress and is on schedule. The three piers and two abutments of the bridge are complete. Segmental concrete box construction will begin at Pier 2 (middle pier) in a couple of weeks. The contractor will be in high production mode with the segmental bridge work, casting about 8 - 16 foot long segments each week. There will be no parking at the south end of the bridge or on Raspberry Island, and no public access to Raspberry Island until the project is completed in July of 1998.

February 2, 1997
The contractor has made significant progress this winter despite the cold temperatures and the holiday season. The form travelers (the blue stuff) are on the move to Pier 2. The last of the Pier 3 segments using the travelers was poured on Friday. The contractor will be constructing the Pier 2 table for the next month and a half or so. Once the pier table is completed the form travelers will be in operation for building of the Pier 2 segments. We have a huge footing pour at Pier 1 starting at 11 AM this morning, 750 cubic yards (or 20,000 cubic feet or 80 concrete truck loads). The contractor will be working Saturdays from now until November.

January 14, 1997
The contractor has poured the Pier 3 pier tables (40 foot long segments directly over the pier) and 42 - 16 foot long segments so far. The contractor will be pouring two to three segments each week as the winter has grown colder.

The Pier 3 overlooks have been poured.

Pier 2 has been poured and is nearly ready for the construction of the pier tables.

Pile driving is complete on Pier 1. The seal has been poured, and all piles have been cut off to the proper lengtn. Ice in the cofferdam has caused some problems for the construction.

The north abutment has been poured and is essentially completed.

The south abutment is nearly complete. Only the back wall remains to be poured.

Shepard Road is open to one lane in each direction and will continue through the winter. Median barriers were place to provide safer access through the site and are more stable during snow plowing than traffic barrels and cones.

All work will continue through the winter. The contractor is using -10¡F temperature or -25¡F wind chill as a guide for shutting down work.

December 5, 1996
The contractor has poured the Pier 3 pier tables and 30 - 16 foot long segments so far. The contractor will be pouring two to three segments each week as the winter has grown colder.

The Pier 3 overlooks are being formed and poured in several stages. One pour has been done so far.

At Pier 2 one of the17.5 foot square by 30 foot high lower pier stems has been poured and the other will be poured next week.

Pile driving is nearly complete on Pier 1, about 30 piles left. The seal will be poured in a week or so. The ice in the cofferdam is over 2 feet thick and has slowed the pace of pile driving.

The north abutment has been poured and is essentially completed.

The south abutment bridge seat has been poured this week. The bridge seat will support the south end of the box girder segments.

Shepard Road is open to one lane in each direction and will continue through the winter. Median barriers were place to provide safer access through the site and are more stable during snow plowing than traffic barrels and cones.

All work will continue through the winter. The contractor is using -10¡F temperature or -25¡F wind chill as a guide for shutting down work.

November 21, 1996
The contractor has poured the Pier 3 pier tables and 26 - 16 foot long segments so far. The contractor will be pouring four to six segments each week as long as the weather cooperates, four or less as the winter grows colder.

Pile driving for Pier 2 and the east and west plazas is complete and the 6 foot thick concrete seals have been placed. The cofferdams have been dewatered and the Pier 2 piles are all cut off to the proper length. The footings have all been poured. The 17.5 foot square by 30 foot high lower pier stems will be poured next week.

Pile driving is nearly complete on Pier 1. The seal will be poured next week.

At the north abutment, the contractor has completed drilling and placing concrete for the five 4 foot diameter, 70 foot long concrete caissons into St. Peter sandstone which will support the north abutment. The contractor is currently forming up the north abutment.

The footing for the south abutment has been poured. The contractor is placing steel rebar and forms for the bridge seat. The bridge seat is being poured in sections. Several sections have been poured so far. Concrete will continue to be placed over the next few weeks. The bridge seat will support the south end of the box girder segments.

Shepard Road is open to one lane in each direction and will continue through the winter. Median barriers were place to provide safer access through the site are more stable during snow plowing than traffic barrels and cones.

All work will continue through the winter. The contractor is using -10¡F temperature or -25¡F wind chill as a guide for shutting down work.

November 11, 1996
All four of the form travelers (the blue stuff) have been up for several weeks now. The form travelers are temporary supports for the concrete box girder segments while the concrete is curing. The larger segments weigh over 160 tons each. The concrete obtains a strength of 3500 pound per square inch in 24 hours. The contractor has poured two pier tables and 19 - 16 foot long segments so far. The contractor will be pouring four to six segments each week as long as the weather cooperates, four or less as the winter grows colder. Pile driving for Pier 2 and the east and west plazas is complete and the 6 foot thick concrete seals have been placed. The cofferdams have been dewatered and the Pier 2 piles are all cut off to the proper length. The east plaza footing has been poured. The concrete placement for Pier 2 and the west plaza began early this morning, over 1000 cubic yards. Excavation inside the Pier 1 cofferdam is complete. Pile driving has begun on Pier 1 and should be done later next week. The old bridge structure is totally removed. The contractor is excavating and removing misc. structures at the north abutment. The contractor has completed drilling and placing concrete for the five 4 foot diameter, 70 foot long concrete caissons into St. Peter sandstone which will support the north abutment. The contractor is currently forming up the north abutment. The footing for the south abutment has been poured. The contractor is placing steel rebar and forms for the bridge seat. The bridge seat is being poured in sections. One has been poured so far. Concrete will continue to be placed over the next few weeks. The bridge seat will support the south end of the box girder bridges. Shepard Road is open to one lane in each direction and will continue through the winter. All work will continue through the winter. The contractor is using -10¡F temperature or -25¡F wind chill as a guide for shutting down work.

October 25, 1996
All four of the form travelers (the blue stuff) are installed. The form travelers are temporary supports for the concrete box girder segments while the concrete is curing. The larger segments weigh over 160 tons each. The concrete obtains a strength of 3500 pound per square inch in 24 hours. The contractor has poured ten 16 foot long segments so far. The contractor will be pouring four to six segments each week as long as the weather cooperates. Pile driving for Pier 2 is complete and the 6 foot thick concrete seal has been placed. The contractor has also finished driving piling for the east and west plazas. The cofferdams have been dewatered and the Pier 2 piles are all cut off to the proper length. Footing construction will begin next week. Excavation inside the Pier 1 cofferdam is nearly complete. Pile driving will begin next week. The old bridge structure is totally removed. The contractor is excavating and removing misc. structures at the north abutment. The contractor has completed drilling for the five 4 foot diameter, 70 foot long concrete caissons into St. Peter sandstone which will support the north abutment. The steel will be set and the concrete poured next week. The footing for the south abutment has been poured. The contractor is placing steel rebar and forms for the bridge seat. The form liners have arrived and will be installed next week. Concrete will be place late next week. The bridge seat will support the south end of the box girder bridges. Shepard Road is open to one lane in each direction. Work will continue through the winter. The contractor is using -10 degrees F temperature or minus 25 degrees F wind chill as a guide for shutting down work.

October 11,1996

Three of the four form travelers (the blue stuff) are installed. The form travelers are temporary supports for the concrete box girder segments while the concrete is curing. The larger segments weigh over 160 tons each. The concrete obtains a strength of 3500 pound per square inch in 24 hours. The contractor has poured three segments so far. Within a couple of weeks the contractor will be pouring four segments each week as long as the weather cooperates. Pile driving for Pier 2 is complete and the 6 foot thick concrete seal has been placed. The contractor is driving piling for the east and west plazas. Excavation inside the Pier 1 cofferdam is nearly complete. Pile driving will begin in a week. The old bridge structure is totally removed. The contractor is excavating and removing misc. structures at the north abutment. The contractor will begin drilling for 4 foot diameter, 70 foot long concrete caissons into sandrock which will support the north abutment. The footing for the south abutment has been poured. The contractor is placing steel rebar and forms for the bottom stem. The form liners have arrived and will be installed next week. Concrete will be place late next week. The bottom stem will support the south end of the box girder bridges. Shepard Road is open to one lane in each direction.

September 27, 1996
The first form traveler (the blue stuff) is installed. The contractor has been placing the form work, steel rebar and post-tensioning duct for the first segement to be poured. The pour is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27. The the north form traveler at south bound pier 3 is being installed and will be completed next week. Pile driving for Pier 2 is nearly complete. The contractor is planning to pour the seal later next week. Excavation inside the Pier 1 cofferdam will begin next week. The old bridge structure is totally removed. The contractor is excavating and removing misc. structures at the north abutment. The footings for the south abutment have been poured. The contractor is placing steel rebar and forms for the bottom stem Shepard Road is open to one lane in each direction.

August 30,1996
The Pier 3 pier table is currently being constructed. The pier table is a massive concrete box girder segment which sits directly over the pier from which the successive box girder segments will be supported. Last week the walls of the north bound table were poured. The contractor will continue to construct the Pier 3 Table top slab, false work, forming and rebar. Next week the north bouncd top slab and the south bound walls will be poured. The Pier 2 cofferdam is completed. Excavation inside the cofferdam is nearly completed. Pile driving for Pier 2 will begin next week. The contractor has removed all of the old river piers. Pile driving for the South Abutment is completed. The footings will be formed, rebar placed and concrete poured next week. Shepard Road is open to one lane in each direction.

August 19, 1996
The Pier 3 pier table is currently being constructed. The pier table is a massive concrete box girder segment which sits directly over the pier from which the box girder segments will be supported. Last week the bottom slabs of the north bound and the south bound tables were poured. The Pier 2 cofferdam is nearly completed. Excavation inside the cofferdam will begin next week. The contractor will continue to construct the Pier 3 Table walls and top slab, false work, forming and rebar. The contractor will continue removal of the old river piers. Pile driving for the South Abutment continues and will be done this week. The contractor will be removing the last of the trusses this week. Shepard Road will be closed between Jackson and Chesnut all week to accomplish this.

August 1, 1996
The Pier 3 pier table is currently being constructed. The pier table is a massive concrete box girder segment which sits directly over the pier from which the box girder segments will be supported. Excavation for the South Abutment has begun. Excavation for the Pier 2 cofferdam has begun.

Next week, 8.5.96.
The contractor will continue driving sheet piling on Pier 2. The contractor will continue to construct the Pier 3 Table, false work, forming and rebar. The contractor will continue removal of the old river piers. Excavation for the South Abutment continues.

July 19, 1996
Pier 3 has been completed. All forms have been removed. The cofferdams still being removed as of today. Excavation has begun for Pier 2.

Next week.

• The contractor will begin construction the Pier 3 pier table false work. The pier table is a massive concrete box girder segment which sits directly over the pier from which the box girder segments will be supported.
• Construction of the Pier 2 cofferdam will begin next week.
• The contractor will begin removal of the river piers next week.
  

May 3, 1996
Pile Driving begins

Apr. 1, 1996
Construction Begins. NO FOOLIN!