New I-244 Bridge

[rdj]

They've already funded the East bound?

No.  I believe it is scheduled to begin work the same year the west bound bridge will be finished.  Hopefully they will be able to identify funding over the next two years.

[AquaMan]

Anyone take note that they're dumping the old road surface into the river? It is creating a "mini" dam across the river and the water nearby is deep green. Clouds of cement dust also cover the area. Of course they flush the river starting around 6pm to wash it all downstream to Jenks/Bixby and the nav channel. I seriously doubt that is to keep Terns from nesting or because of drought as has been proffered.

Truth is its cheaper than hauling the debris away. The concrete company at 23rd actually would be fined for doing the same thing (and have been).

I just hope the plans include removing the debris below the new bridge unlike the past.

[BKDotCom]

Indeed.
My two observations:
1)  wow, they're making quick work of removing the bridge surface (they were almost completely done this morning)
2)  oh... because they're just letting it fall into the river below... environment enshmironment

We need "Two News Works For You" to determine if they're going to do any retrieval / cleanup

[Townsend]

Indeed.
My two observations:
1)  wow, they're making quick work of removing the bridge surface (they were almost completely done this morning)
2)  oh... because they're just letting it fall into the river below... environment enshmironment

We need "Two News Works For You" to determine if they're going to do any retrieval / cleanup

Let's hope for a useful lurker.

[AquaMan]

Its actually worse than just an environmental thing. Since the water is low I have observed lots of people wading & swimming in the pools of water in Zink Lake each evening as I jog past. Its hot, they're stupid and poor. Lots of fishermen wading below the dam as well. They doubtless have not seen the green pools of water upstream of them.

Cement dust is dangerous. Warnings are printed all over cement bags warning of the silica that can harm your lungs and warning to wear protective gear before handling. Even the cement plants are required to spray water on their lots to keep it from becoming airborne.

Some of the clouds of silica released from the jackhammers probably now reside in my lungs from running within 30 yards of their work. Were you sitting in the traffic jam on the Rt66 bridge with your a/c on while they were hammering? You breathed it too.

But they are making good time as noted.

[dsjeffries]

Its actually worse than just an environmental thing. Since the water is low I have observed lots of people wading & swimming in the pools of water in Zink Lake each evening as I jog past. Its hot, they're stupid and poor. Lots of fishermen wading below the dam as well. They doubtless have not seen the green pools of water upstream of them.

Cement dust is dangerous. Warnings are printed all over cement bags warning of the silica that can harm your lungs and warning to wear protective gear before handling. Even the cement plants are required to spray water on their lots to keep it from becoming airborne.

Some of the clouds of silica released from the jackhammers probably now reside in my lungs from running within 30 yards of their work. Were you sitting in the traffic jam on the Rt66 bridge with your a/c on while they were hammering? You breathed it too.

But they are making good time as noted.

Did you happen to get any pictures or video? If so, let me know.

[Conan71]

Its actually worse than just an environmental thing. Since the water is low I have observed lots of people wading & swimming in the pools of water in Zink Lake each evening as I jog past. Its hot, they're stupid and poor. Lots of fishermen wading below the dam as well. They doubtless have not seen the green pools of water upstream of them.

Cement dust is dangerous. Warnings are printed all over cement bags warning of the silica that can harm your lungs and warning to wear protective gear before handling. Even the cement plants are required to spray water on their lots to keep it from becoming airborne.

Some of the clouds of silica released from the jackhammers probably now reside in my lungs from running within 30 yards of their work. Were you sitting in the traffic jam on the Rt66 bridge with your a/c on while they were hammering? You breathed it too.

But they are making good time as noted.

You are getting incremental amounts of asbestos if you walk, run, ride a bike, or just stand on a street corner for 10 minutes from brake dust.  Even a good wind storm stirs up small parts of silica.

Avery Drive is closed for a month for a re-pave so I had to ride back in from Sand Springs via the Katy Weds. night.  after descending from the ped bridge over the RR tracks, there was a smattering of 6 to 8" concrete chunks under the old 244 bridge from the decking.  Unfortunately some cyclist managed to hit one of those chunks and turn his front wheel into a taco.  Luckily it wasn't me.  I agree, they need to do a better job of cleaning up after themselves.

[AquaMan]

Did you happen to get any pictures or video? If so, let me know.

They'll be done before I can get back over there with a cam. Last nite I cut my run short to cross on the 23rd street bridge to be upwind from them. From a mile away you could see two distinct plumes of concrete dust rising and rivers of rock falling to the river basin creating nice splashes below.

The small amounts of brake dust don't really compare to visible clouds of airborne concrete dust. They should at least wet the surface before pulverising it.

[carltonplace]

I heard that they are dropping the concrete in the river on purpose to create the base for a riverbed road for the contractor to use. Hope the CORPS has signed off and I'm glad I'm downstream of the new road/dam. 

[Conan71]

Driving in this morning, I noticed that even though they have not demolished the northernmost piers, there's a concrete pumping boom and vertical re-bar sticking up near the south bank.  I'd guess they are already pouring piers.  Nice to see progress like this already.

[AquaMan]

Driving in this morning, I noticed that even though they have not demolished the northernmost piers, there's a concrete pumping boom and vertical re-bar sticking up near the south bank.  I'd guess they are already pouring piers.  Nice to see progress like this already.

Yes, they have been pouring them all week. Interesting single round pier design. One thing I noted is that the lime from the cement dust is spreading out downstream in pools and creating a hard surface where there used to be sand. Looking farther downstream you can see that this may have happened before. It appears to be the surface of a concrete road with scoring but in reality is probably the remains of previous road destruction that has been wetted, dried, then baked over and over. Of course some of it is just the bedrock of the river basin.

Anyway, I will sure be glad when they finish up. Any idea when?

[Conan71]

Yes, they have been pouring them all week. Interesting single round pier design. One thing I noted is that the lime from the cement dust is spreading out downstream in pools and creating a hard surface where there used to be sand. Looking farther downstream you can see that this may have happened before. It appears to be the surface of a concrete road with scoring but in reality is probably the remains of previous road destruction that has been wetted, dried, then baked over and over. Of course some of it is just the bedrock of the river basin.

Anyway, I will sure be glad when they finish up. Any idea when?

I thought they said 576 days after commencement.  I'm guessing they are wanting to get in on some of that early completion bonus cash.  It would be nice if they had it done in a year.  The continued drought helps manage river levels while they are pouring the piers.  Hopefully they won't get a lot of weather slowdowns when it comes to decking.

[custosnox]

I thought they said 576 days after commencement.  I'm guessing they are wanting to get in on some of that early completion bonus cash.  It would be nice if they had it done in a year.  The continued drought helps manage river levels while they are pouring the piers.  Hopefully they won't get a lot of weather slowdowns when it comes to decking.

It's not just the drought, it's also the gate being down at the zink dam while they effect repairs.

[Vision 2025]

It's not just the drought, it's also the gate being down at the zink dam while they effect repairs.

FYI - The gates are schedule to be 100% up by early August.

[AquaMan]

Earlier the better. I miss workouts on Zink Lake with my little orange kayak.