$5 million to be Invested to improve 14 bridges over I-77 | News

The contract for the work was awarded to HRI Bridge Co. of State College, Pa, according to a news release from the N.C. Department of Transportation.

 

The bridges are located on:

• Nation's Ford Road (Exit 4)

• South Tryon Road (Exit 6)

• Clanton Road (Exit 7)

• Remount Road (Exit 8)

• I-277 North and South (Exit 9)

• West 5th Street (Exit 10)

• Cindy Lane

• Sunset Road (Exit 16)

• N.C. 24 (Exit 18)

• Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road

• Gilead Road (Exit 23)

• N.C. 73 East and West (Exit 25)

 

The work will include the removal of deteriorated deck surface concrete and rebar corrosion from the bridges by hydrodemolition, the use of high-powered water jets. That will be followed by the placement of latex-modified concrete on the roadway.

It reduces infiltration of water and salt below the roadway surface, extending the life of the pavement longer than regular concrete, and improving the ride quality for motorists.

It also sets and hardens faster, allowing for a quicker re-opening of a road than typical concrete. There will also be some substructure repairs and roadway crack sealing work.

 

This type of project is a way to extend the life of a bridge, and is done at a significantly lower cost than continually repairing or even replacing the bridge.

The project is part of the NCDOT's $430 million bridge plan for 2011-12, which calls for preservation, repairs or replacement of 450 bridges statewide.

 

Work can start as early as June 1, and is expected to be finished by Aug. 31, 2013. 

 

Because of the heavy traffic volume on I-77 and many of the roads where the bridges are located, work will take place at night to lessen the travel impact for motorists. No lane closures are allowed on I-77 between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekends. The same restrictions will be in place for I-277 between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekends. Similar lane closure restrictions will be in place for the roads being improved. There also cannot be any lane closures during holidays or major events, including the Democratic National Convention.

 

This is one of 24 contracts worth $117.6 million awarded by Transportation Secretary Gene Conti for highway and bridge projects across North Carolina. NCDOT awarded the contracts to the lowest bidders as required by state law. The bids received on the projects awarded came in about 17.5 percent, or $25 million, below NCDOT estimates. 

 

Since Gov. Bev Perdue took office in January of 2009, NCDOT has awarded 599 highway contracts totaling $4.2 billion to ensure that all North Carolinians have access to jobs and educational opportunities.