Construction News

Pouring the bridge deck(left), Girders set in the Haymarket(right)

May 2, 2008
Harris Overpass Update

Thanks for your interest in the Harris Overpass project. The construction contract has been awarded to Cramer & Associates of Des Moines, Iowa. Cramer & Associates and their sub-contractors are diligently working on the bridge reconstruction.

This page will give you a snapshot at what is occurring and what is expected to occur with the project during construction. Please check back in a few weeks. We will update this website throughout construction.

Project Update

The Contractor has continued to keep the bridge reconstruction on schedule. About 350' of the easternmost portion of the bridge deck has been constructed. Over the coming weeks the portion of the bridge deck from just west of 7th Street to the newly poured concrete section will be constructed and the concrete barrier rails on the bridge deck will be constructed, too. If you've visited the project site recently, you'll have noticed that the pigeon proofing metal "ceiling" has started to be installed under the bridge, too.

The parking area under the bridge has started to be constructed, even with the weekly rainfall. The contractor will continue to work under the bridge by finishing construction of the parking area, constructing sidewalks, installing light poles, installing signs, and placing pavement markings.

Assuming the weather is favorable for construction and no unforeseen incident occurs, Phase 1 will remain on schedule to be complete in early June. Once Phase 1 is complete, 8th Street and the frontage road between 8th and 9th streets will be open to traffic, the Lumberworks parking lot (gated lot) will be available for parking, and the parking areas underneath the bridge will also be available for parking (metered parking). After Phase 1 is complete there will be some work that will remain such as staining the concrete and installing decorative pedestrian rails on top of the bridge, but these items will have a minimal effect on the Haymarket traffic and parking operations.

All piling has been completed on the entire project and the Geopiers (rock shafts used to improve the soil conditions at the west abutment) have been installed at the western abutment. Girders continue to be set in the railyards and column construction on the western side of the bridge continues, too.

Thanks again for your interest in the Harris Overpass project.