June 17, 2010 For more information: Rick Little (541) 726-2442
06-132-R2 email at: mailto:richard.little@odot.state.or.us
Bridge construction delayed on U.S. 20: Pioneer Mountain to Eddyville
EDDYVILLE— Bridge construction on ODOT’s $215 million U.S. 20: Pioneer Mountain-Eddyville (PME) project in Lincoln County has been delayed so that engineers can reconsider calculations related to how much sub-surface ground pressure is being exerted on bridge components. The delay affects bridge construction only. Other construction continues on this project and the Pioneer Mountain Loop project west of PME.
The Design Builder’s original calculations have been in question since columns at two bridge locations tilted out-of-plumb. The movement of the columns was discovered during a routine survey in February.
The design engineering firm, URS Corporation, working as a sub-contractor to the project’s Design Build contractor, Yaquina River Constructors, has determined that it needs to monitor ground forces at four bridge locations while its engineers reanalyze their original calculations.
The delay in construction will mean a delay of project completion but it remains uncertain at this time how long the delay might be.
Other Construction Continues
The delay of bridge construction does not mean a complete halt to construction of other aspects of the project.
Still underway are:
-
The new alignment’s eastern and western intersections with the existing U.S. 20 will be complete this summer, meaning no more 20 minute delays while other construction continues.
-
The remaining 920,000 cubic yards of excavation work.
-
All remaining culvert and stormwater system work.
-
Revegetation with native plants and seed mixes of the disturbed areas.
-
Paving will be completed on about 2.5 miles of the new alignment.
Second U.S. 20 project NOTaffected
Meantime, work on the U.S. 20: Pioneer Mountain Loop Road-Yaquina River project, immediately west of Pioneer Mountain-Eddyville, continues on schedule.
The $8.5 million project will realign the curves near Sam’s Creek Road. The highway will be shifted north for environmental protection of the creek and will construct a new, fish-friendly bridge over Simpson Creek, replacing a restrictive culvert
PME to enhance travel and safety on U.S. 20 corridor
The U.S. 20: Pioneer Mountain to Eddyville project is building a six-and-a-half mile section of new road that bypasses a ten mile stretch of substandard highway with no passing opportunities and many curves where the speed limit is 35 miles-per-hour. The new road will have wider travel lanes and shoulders, and will create miles of passing lanes.
The project is also building ten bridges along the new alignment. All but four bridges are essentially complete.
Know Before You Go
For more information on the project, visit www.us20pme.com
For the latest road conditions, visit: www.tripcheck.com
# # ODOT # #
|