Bridge Work in Florence, Nov. 3

A project to protect the US 101: Siuslaw River Bridge in Florence will create temporary impacts to traffic on and below the bridge this week. A contractor for ODOT will be constructing a third containment structure beneath the bridge deck and will use a crane on the bridge to move components of the structure into place below. On Tuesday, November 3, 2015 travel across the bridge will be restricted to a single lane, controlled by flaggers, from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. Travelers should expect delays of no more than 20 minutes during this time. In addition, travel beneath the bridge on Bay Street will experience temporary traffic holds of up to 20 minutes, and traffic will be controlled by flaggers. **Crack injection process to create nighttime slowdowns on US 101** Also this week, the contractor will begin sealing cracks in the bridge deck while working within a containment structure beneath the bridge. The work will be conducted between 6 p.m. and into the early morning hours. Because the sealant material is vulnerable to vibrations until it cures, traffic across the bridge will be restricted to a single lane with speeds controlled by pilot cars. “This process may leave travelers confused and frustrated,” said ODOT Assistant Project Manager Mike Stennett. “They will experience the traffic control but they won’t see any work being done because it’s all being done under the bridge,” he said. The crack injection process for Span 1 will occur Wednesday, November 4 and continue through Friday, November 6. It may continue into the following week, as well. **Project to protect Florence’s iconic bridge** The US 101: Siuslaw River Bridge protection project will: *Repair damaged concrete and steel reinforcement bar; *Construct a cathodic protection system to protect the bridge from corrosion; * Add seismic restraints to help maintain the integrity of the bridge in an earthquake; * Construct a new ornamental bridge rail and replace the existing rail; * Construct improved pedestrian access to the bridge. The low-bid contract of $14.2 million was awarded to Hamilton Construction of Springfield. The Work is to be completed by the end of March in 2019. To learn more, visit: www.siuslawbridge.com