Flatiron Construction Completes Minneapolis Bridge/Joint Repair Project Under Way on I-70

Flatiron Completes I-35W Bridge Construction Ahead of Schedule

Following 11 months of design and construction, the new Interstate 35W Bridge opened to traffic in September, reconnecting the city of Minneapolis a little over a year after its collapse, which killed 13 and injured 145 during rush hour on Aug. 1, 2007.

The managing joint-venture partner for the design-build project, Flatiron Construction Corp. of Longmont, completed the bridge on budget and more than three months ahead of schedule. The $234-million contract with the Minnesota Department of Transportation called for the bridge to be completed by Dec. 24 and included a $200,000-a-day incentive for each day the bridge was finished before then, up to 100 days.

The new I-35W bridge was designed with multiple levels of redundancy to provide a structure that will last more than 100 years and offer the highest possible safety standards, according to Mn/DOT. The smart-bridge technology features sensors that provide an in-depth understanding of the structure, monitoring safety and wear and tear.

Other members of the joint venture with Flatiron included Johnson Brothers of Minneapolis, Manson Construction Co. of Seattle, FIGG Bridge Engineers Inc. and TKDA of St. Paul.

Joint Repair Begins on Aging I-70 Viaduct

In September, the Colorado Department of Transportation started a repair project on the Interstate 70 viaduct in Denver, a 44-year-old bridge that the transportation department has listed in poor condition. The project will replace or repair 60 expansion joints between Brighton and Colorado boulevards.

“We know that the I-70 viaduct is in need of replacement, but the cost for replacement is roughly $800 million, and we just don’t have the funds right now to make it happen,” said CDOT Chief Engineer Pam Hutton.

CDOT is in the process of looking for a long-term solution for the aging bridge. In the meantime, it is moving forward with the two-year expansion joint project, which should extend the life of the structure by 10 to 15 years.

In addition to the expansion joint work, crews will reconstruct the median to improve drainage and replace some bridge rail. American Civil Constructors Inc. of Lakewood is the contractor of the $21.6-million project, which will be complete by spring 2011.

Parker Road Improvements to Complete this Month

The Colorado Department of Transportation is nearly complete with an improvement project on Parker Road near Arapahoe that constructs a masonry sound wall on the northwest side of Parker Road.

The project also widens the southbound lanes between Fair Street and the ramp to westbound Arapahoe to accommodate one additional lane.

New Design Construction Co. is the contractor for the $2-million project, which should be complete this month.

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