Trending
It looks to me like construction activity has been increasing on the Chautauqua Lake Bridge as winter begins to close in. Will the DOT be able to beat winter and finish the two lanes on the southside before the construction season ends?
I would say that the chances are "fifty-fifty," yet, let's hope that it can be done.
The pouring of new concrete decking has been accelerating. There are now two concrete leveling machines in view on the bridge so that two sections of new deck can be laid at the same time. Instead of being continuous, some of the new deck sections are being "leapfrogged" ahead to provide more weight and balance as the new decking approaches the arched center of the bridge.
The unknown factor in all of this, or course, is the weather itself. Concrete cannot be laid if the temperature drops below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature drops below that, the concrete will not cure properly.
There has been some talk that the DOT may authorize the use of artificial heat to extend the concrete laying season. That could extend the construction season somewhat but would also add expense to the bridge reconstruction job.
Let's hope that we have a warm October. We all should be in favor of getting as much done on the bridge during this construction season as possible.
From what I have seen and heard, the cost of reconstructing the I-86 bridge over Chautauqua Lake is going to cost much more than the $78 million original estimate. It is also going to take longer than originally anticipated to complete.
Much of this is related to the unanticipated discovery that more steel replacement was needed than originally thought. Much of this is due to salt damage caused over the years.
To help protect the bridge in the future, the "new" bridge is being painted. Yet, even that is more than a normal paint job. Certain portions of the steel superstructure will have about four layers of new protection--a coat of zinc, followed by a couple of applications of epoxy, and then the final finished, polished coat of paint. All of this costs money and takes time, but, in the long-run, it will give the new bridge a longer, more useful life in the days ahead.
As to the motoring public, until weather closes down construction for the season, there will likely be more night closings as the concrete deck pouring continues.
On the flip side, we probably won't see a shift in the traffic pattern before winter. The current two lanes now being used, will likely be used again this winter. We are accustomed to that, and it looks like it will continue until sometime into next Spring or Summer.
Of course, these are just estimates based primarily upon visual observations. The DOT may have more to say as winter approaches. Until then, let's cheer on the contractor and the workers who are out there on the bridge--we appreciate the work that they are doing!
Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.