Bridges Weekly Update #29

3 November 2004

ON SCHEDULE

Of the 146 bridges scheduled to be repaired this year, we are completed with 123 of them, and 17 more are currently works-in-progress as of Nov. 3^rd. All RRIF bridgework is proceeding on schedule and is substantially completed. Remaining RRIF bridgework are deck repairs and other minor items all the 286K requirements are completed. Currently within the RRIF project area only 18 bridges still require work to be completed.

¨ Bridge Repair is continuing between Verdi to Garvin and Sleepy Eye to Tracy on RRIF bridges. Currently only 3 bridges remain to be completed between Huron and Verdi (287.0, 287.3, & 295.5). Between Verdi and Tracy there are 12 bridges left to finish and between Tracy and Sleepy Eye there are only 3 bridges remaining to be completed.

¨ As of this writing all the remaining work on the bridges in the RRIF project area are principally decks and headwalls, although completion of this work is still important it does not affect the bridges load carrying capacity. This means that all our bridges between Sleepy Eye and Wolsey in the RRIF project area can now handle 286K loading, and the remaining work will still be completed.

¨ The Sioux River Bridge is now complete. Prep work began on March 15^th and on April 12^th they started driving piling. E-80 completed the pile driving that is required for the entire bridge a total of 78 piling have been driven. The main line has been restored to track speed. This project was completed on schedule and is a great improvement.

¨ The work at Bridge 526, MP 206.2, is underway reconstructing the pier under the west approach span and other associated work. All the pile driving is completed and work is is scheduled to be complete next week.

¨ One bridge upgrade was started on the PRC at MP 532.9 a substantial amount of work, which will include new deck and stringer chords. This work is still in progress, not yet complete.

¨ There was 1 bridge completed this week on the DM&E between Verdi and Tracy.