Dover Bridge work resuming

DOVER — Work on the new Dover Bridge is going to be shifting into a higher gear.

Earthwork for the U.S. Highway 2 bridge is slated to resume on Monday, April 19, with blasting to commence in April 23 or 24, according to project officials.

The blasting operations are forecasted to cause minimal delays for motorists passing through the construction site.

“I would anticipate five minutes,” said Jim Wickens, project manager for lead contractor Sletten Construction.

The explosives work will occur between 2-3 p.m.

Crews from subcontractor M.A. DeAtley Construction will begin mobilizing in the latter half this week.

When the blasting operation started last September, there was a lengthy traffic delay when an overly energetic explosion blocked the highway with rock and debris.

Project officials don’t expect that to happen again and point out that the blasting that’s about to commence isn’t as close to the highway as the previous work.

DeAtley will also be building an embankment on the west settlement area, in addition to clearing an grubbing east from abutment two. A new water line will be installed and a drainage layer for wick drains will be installed in the west settlement area.

Sletten’s pile driving and pier work continues seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Sletten has been encountering some pile driving challenges, thanks to some peculiarities in the bedrock. Unlike the friction piles used for the Sand Creek Byway, the piles at Dover are meant to bite into bedrock.

But some of the piles are glancing off the bedrock and bending, Wickens said.

Sletten is overcoming the problem by mixing in tougher lengths of piling within the piers. The piles are reaching maximum depths of about 230-240 feet.

Those who plan to use Pine Street Loop to detour the bridge construction should make alternative plans, according to city officials. The Independent Highway District is scheduled to close part of the road this month to install a French drain near the Hornby Creek Road turnoff.

“There’s a spring in the middle of the road that’s been popping up for years,” said Councilwoman Maggie Becker.

A plan for the heavily-used Dover bike path remains unclear.

The bridge design plan includes a new stretch of pathway, but did not provide for an alternative path during construction. As a result, the path is expected to close west of Chuck Slough this month.

 The Idaho Transportation Department is considering a temporary path route, but a decision is still pending.