Bridge Update Meeting Addresses City Concerns Erin Schaller/Sun
Chamberlain City Hall hosted a meeting on Thursday, August 13 at 2 pm to discuss the Highway 16 Bridge construction and closure.
Tammy Williams, Mitchell Dept. of Transportation area engineer, highlighted the progress made and the future plans for the bridge. While construction wrap up is set for August 1, 2011, traffic is set to be back on the roadway by December 1, 2010. The contractors will be working all winter to meet the set dates.
The contractors ask that all citizens stay off out of the construction area.
“[That is why] these meetings are held. To update the public on the project,” Williams said.
Meetings will be held periodically, alternating between Chamberlain and Oacoma to reach as many as possible.
Rick Brandner, lead project engineer, said that the first part of the project, which is to install a safety plan and anchor the plates that hold the work platform, is well on its way. The next steps are to replace the decks, both end butlets and the existing footing on Pierre 11. Gurters on both ends will receive new steel. The bridge will also be completely re-painted. The current paint is lead based so the bridge must be canvassed and the paint collected and disposed of properly.
“[We] don’t want anything in the water.” Said Brandner. The material is being collected by ply board and hauled away as it falls.
Every third support beam will also be replaced because salts most easily damage those beams at the construction joints, said Brandner.
There are currently 18 workers on site and the company is planning on adding more. Four to five painters will also be added to the project.
Williams asked the city to be patient. “It is a time consuming and labor intensive project,” said Williams.
Questions were opened to the public, which re-addressed the concern of adding a walking path to the structure. The engineers believe the biggest problem is large vehicles need to be centered in the roadway for the best support, leaving little to no safe walking room.
The Chamberlain end deck will be replaced first. The total distance that will be completed is 2,003 ft. The Department of Transportation, Mitchell office will hold meetings throughout the project time to update the public on the bridge progress.
Bridge Update Meeting Addresses City Concerns
