Bridge demolitions dominate I-80 work
by Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT)
April 12, 2008
(Rock Springs) – According to Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) officials, the demolition of three of four bridges on Interstate 80 scheduled to take place for the reconstruction of the Rock Springs Marginal has been completed.
At the east end of the project, the bridge deck at Pilot Butte Exit 107 is down and removal of the abutments and columns is taking place under the direction of flaggers. There is also grading activities taking place on the north side of the interstate where the future westbound on and off ramps will be located.
The Swanson Drive bridge deck is also down and removal of the abutments and columns also will be done with traffic restricted to a single lane of traffic and under the direction of flaggers with stopped conditions of up to 15 minutes. WYDOT and the contractors apologize for the inconvenience this causes the residents in the area and plan no further complete closures of Swanson Drive, but say there will be intermittent traffic restrictions throughout the summer.
At the Dewar Drive end of the project, head to head traffic on I-80 is expected to begin midweek and demolition of the Dewar Drive Bridge at Exit 102 scheduled for April 21. Access under the Dewar Drive Bridge will close at 10 p.m. on April 21 and reopen at 8 a.m. on April 22. April 22 has been reserved as a backup closure should it be necessary and will begin at 10 p.m. and reopen at 8 a.m. on April 23. “Motorists need to use the north and/or south service roads parallel to the interstate to access businesses on the west end of Dewar Drive,” said Theresa Herbin, WYDOT Public Involvement Specialist for District Three.
Grading work and cleanup on the service road along Dewar Drive will be taking place on April 12 with paving scheduled to begin during the early part of the week of April 14. A temporary surface will be applied to where the waterline crossed Gateway Boulevard, so there will be several changes in traffic patterns as the paving takes place. “Just because traffic was set on the outside lanes in the morning, does not mean they will still be that way in the afternoon. Motorists need to devote their attention to the flaggers and traffic patterns to safely get through the construction area,” said Herbin.
Speed limits on the interstate have been reduced to 45 M.P.H. where work is taking place and 65 M.P.H. through the rest of the construction project. WYDOT reminds motorists to slow down, pay attention to traffic control devices, signing, lane markings, and flagging operations to ensure safe passage through the work zones. Motorist also should double move into the correct lane well in-advance, restrict cell phone usage or other distractions, and be aware of their surroundings.
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