Trail River Bridge Update

Posted on: September 30, 2009 | admin | Comments Off | Print Article | Rate Post:

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Last week we informed the public about expected blasting operations and related night time highway closures at the Trail River Bridge site, as follows:

“Blasting operations, scheduled for the week of September 27th are now more specifically targeted to begin October 1st, subject to further adjustment.

Nightly closures of the highway at the Trail River construction site, necessary for the safe conduct of blasting operations, will begin concurrent with the start-up of blasting activities now scheduled to begin on October 1st. The closures are slated for 11pm to 5am nightly, Sunday through Thursday. The nightly closures are currently expected to extend at least through the week of Oct. 5-9.”

Since then, we have learned from our progress at the site that rock previously scheduled for removal by blasting, is actually “rippable” (can be removed by equipment). That means that we can proceed with less blasting and road closures than previously assumed. As a result, this email will inform recipients of the “further adjustment” that accompanied last week’s notice.

The good news is that the project can proceed quicker with higher production rates for rock removal, and that less blasting and less night time closures will be needed. That means that you, the general public, will be impacted less than previously predicted.

Project Engineer Tal Maxwell expects to run into non-rippable rock at some point in our excavation for the temporary bridge. Exactly when is now and unknown, and dependent upon the real field conditions he and his crew encounter as they work further into the rock face.

Tal can assure you now that blasting operations will not begin on October 1st, but he cannot tell you precisely when the operations will begin, or for what duration. However, the start-up will be later, and the duration shorter. Tal expects that blasting will be needed sometime during the week of October 5-9. Again, the exact days are dependent upon the conditions he encounters.

We are now informing the general public of this change and will further alert the public about blasting operations and night time closure dates when that information becomes available – likely later in the week. Tal has set a goal of informing the public 3-days in advance of the actual closures.

We apologize for any inconvenience that may have been caused those who have made plans based on our closure start-up predictions for October 1st. , but we are also relieved that the net impact on the general public will be less than originally planned. We will continue to keep you informed of any further changes and adjustments.

Thank you for your continued understanding and patience.
Rick Feller
Legislative and Media Liaison
State of Alaska