Bridges Weekly Update #1

16 April 2004

ON SCHEDULE

Of the 146 bridges scheduled to be repaired this year, we are completed with 11 of them, and 6 of them are currently works-in-progress. All bridge work is scheduled to be completed by November 1, 2004. As of now, it appears we will meet that schedule. By far, the largest and most complicated bridge project is the Sioux River bridge, which is being completely rebuilt over a major waterway to 315,000 pound standards.

¨ The Sioux River Bridge (#29), the Cottonwood River Bridge (#206), and the Mine Creek Bridge (#502) are the projects encompassing the majority of the bridgework on DM&E.

¨ The Sioux River Bridge is being worked on by E-80. Prep work began on March 15^th. April 12^th they started driving piling, 6 of 78 pilings have been driven thus far. The track and approach has been raised 16”. It is on schedule and will be completed by November 1, 2004.

¨ The bridges between Volga and Brookings, with the exception of the Sioux River Bridge will be completed by Sunday.

¨ The Cottonwood and Mine Creek bridges are slated to begin May 15, 2004 and completed July 15, 2004.