11The two-deck structure already has taken shape. Clallam County public works officials said the bridge will likely open in late September.
“It’s the biggest job in Clallam County history, so it’s a major undertaking,” said Jim Steeby, construction inspector for the county.
The project is virtually on schedule and on budget.
“We’ve spent some of our contingency monies, which is expected, but we’re still within the overall budget,” said Craig Jacobs, Clallam County public works director.
The project is being funded through state, tribal and federal dollars. The original estimate was $16.4 million.
Pedestrian path
A 14-foot-wide pedestrian path will hang below the 28-foot-wide automobile deck. The vehicle deck is already finished.
The foot and bike path will become part of the Olympic Discovery Trail.
“Some of the local bicycle groups are chomping at the bit to get out here and use this thing,” Steeby said. “It’s pretty neat.”
Pre-built, 8-foot sections of concrete and rebar will form the pedestrian deck.
Each section is suspended to the main deck by 21âÑ2 inch thick cables.
“Then they all get tied together and routed in place, so there’s quite an operation that goes on there,” said Ross Tyler, Clallam County engineer.
A pair of large brace frames will keep the bridge from swaying from side to side.
As of Friday, 43 of 56 sections were locked in place. The foot deck is being built from east to west.
Crews are hanging an average of three to five panels per day, Steeby said. The remaining panels should be done by midweek.
Minneapolis bridge collapse
State officials closed the creaky old trestle following the catastrophic collapse of the Interstate 35W span in Minneapolis in 2007.
It was the only bridge out of 3,000 in Washington earning that distinction.
Parsons RCI was awarded the contract in July 2007.
“These guys have been working 12 or 13 hours a day trying to keep ahead of schedule,” Steeby said.
“The project, as far as I can tell, has gone pretty darn smoothly for as big as it is.”
The massive concrete columns that anchor the bridge were completed in May.
From there, the main deck was constructed with the post tension box girder technique.
Using expensive machinery, crews built the deck from the concrete pilings out and joined the sections together at the middle of the 589-foot-long span, 85-feet above the Elwha River.
Pedestrians and cyclists can expect idyllic views of the Elwha River and surrounding forest after the ribbon-cutting ceremony this fall.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com
