Heat keeps bypass work on track

SANDPOINT — Heat is keeping work on the U.S. Highway 95 bypass moving this winter.

Footing construction and concrete pouring for the east and west columns of pier one of the Highway 200 overpass in Ponderay is done. The construction of forms for the pier stem is nearing completion, clearing the way for another concrete pour.

Lead contractor Parsons RCI is using tents, space heaters and warm water to ensure the concrete sets properly.

“The concrete’s been showing up at around 70 degrees,” said Idaho Department of Transportation Project Engineer Ken Sorensen, explaining that a large boiler at an Interstate Concrete & Asphalt batch plant is used to heat up the mix before it arrives.

On the north side of the Highway 200 overpass, production pile driving for the east column of pier two is done. Production pile driving for the west column is forecasted to be done in about three weeks, at which time the footing form for the east column will begin construction.

At the other end of the project, stage one of wall being constructed at the north end of the Long Bridge is about two weeks from being done. A three-week settlement period will follow.

This wall will ultimately support the access ramp northbound motorists will use to access the Sand Creek Byway.

“When you go to access this new alignment, that will be the ramp you drive up to get on the main bridge,” said Tim Davis, a project manager for Parsons.

Insulating blankets and a machine with a lengthy coil of hose filled with ethylene glycol are being used to keep fill material for the wall pliable, said Parsons Engineer Shane Webley.

“It will keep that ground thawed out,” Webley said. “One machine can do 4-5,000 square feet and keep that heated overnight so we can continue to work those soils and they don’t freeze on us.”

Parsons plans to have the wall and ramp done this winter, which would set the stage for the laying of bridge girders and then construction of bridge decking.