U.S. 281 bridge gets connected in Marble Falls
MARBLE FALLS — The first span of the U.S. 281 bridge replacement project was connected in the middle of the structure Nov. 6, but officials said about a month remains until traffic will begin flowing on it.
Texas Department of Transportation project engineer Jason Cavness said work remains to be completed before moving the north bound lanes of traffic to the new bridge.
PHOTO 1: A view from the south bank underneath the first span of the U.S. 281 bridge project and the old bridge shows the contrast in the two structures. The new span (right) was connected in the middle Nov. 6. The old span will be demolished beginning in February, and a second span is scheduled to be completed in fall 2014. Photos courtesy of the Texas Department of Transportation
PHOTO 2: A view from east of the U.S. 281 bridge project and the old bridge shows the profile of the new span. Construction crews connected the new span in the middle of the structure Nov. 6.
The work includes:
• remove blue form travelers,
• place concrete and steel barrier rail,
• complete approaches to the bridge ends,
• grind and groove the bridge deck,
• and, miscellaneous work such as sidewalks and curbs.
Archer Western Contractors have scheduled mid-December for the opening of the northbound bridge, but a specific date has not been set, Cavness said.
All lanes of traffic will shift to the new bridge sometime in February so demolition of the old bridge can begin. After that, the second span will be built. Construction is set to be completed in fall 2014.
According to TxDOT, about $16.2 million has been paid so far on the $36.8 million project, with 45 percent of the work complete.