Reader comments
New I-80 bridges are all in place

The crews working on the I-80 project are doing a great job. Thanks! You rock.

Let me add my thanks as well!! I travel the highway twice a day, progress was steady and quick. Kudo's to all of you!!
Impressed,
joey

I just want Highland Drive underpass to open again. I live just south of it. Any one know when that and 9th east will be open again?

I was glad to finally see that in the 4th from last paragraph of this article that the author included a quote from Wayne Bowden, the project manager of Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction, who is the General Contractor and is doing all the work on this I-80 project. I also found out that Wadsworth was also the General Contractor who did the similar bridge replacement work on the 45th So. at I-215 bridge and is the contractor doing the work on the 33rd So. at I-215 overpass. Not that Wadsworth needs any kudos or needs additional credit or acknowledgment - because they are so well known throughout Utah for all the beautiful freeway art work on bridges and freeway interchanges - but from the feedback I've heard, whenever there's media coverage for this project, everyone always wants to know who the "crews" are.

Boy, I'll tell ya what, driving on I-80 is going to be a dream once it's finished. It's gonna be like eating ice cream. Mmmm.

Any news on when the on ramp from 13th will be open again?

UDOT's website says:
Highland Drive under I-80 - Closed through early August
900 East under I-80 - Closed through early August
600 East under I-80 - Closed through early August
300 East under I-80 - Closed through early August

Calling UDOT, she says that Highland Drive will be open before August 8th, but it could be as early as Aug. 4th or 5th. It will take some time to clear the debris, they just don't know how quick.

From UDOT website
Wednesday, July 30th:
1300 East, from Wilmington Avenue to south of the bridge structure, will be closed from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
1300 East off-ramp from westbound I-80 will be closed from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
700 East will have temporary, short-term closures as the bridge passes overhead. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes Wednesday morning between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. to avoid traffic congestion on 700 East near I-80.

Ramp Closures:
State Street - All ramps open. The westbound off-ramp will close on August 2nd.
700 East* - Westbound on- and off- ramps closed; Eastbound on-ramp closed.
1300 East - Westbound on-ramp closed until early August.

*The 700 East westbound on-ramp and eastbound on-ramp will re-open in late fall. The 700 East westbound off-ramp will re-open August 2.

"crews will begin replacing bridges along the eastbound section of the interstate, using conventional bridge-building techniques."

Umm...if it was good and convenient and time saving and worth the extra millions it added onto the westbound lanes why isn't the same technique being used on the eastbound bridges?

The word on "why isn't the same technique being used on the eastbound bridges?" is that because the West bound bridges will be in place and additional West Bound lanes added, and since all east and westbound traffic will be traveling on the one side without any notable traffic delays, there isn't a compelling reason to spend additional taxpayer's money on the new "Accelereated Bridge Construction" technology. After all, the biggest reason for building a bridge using ABC technology IS to avoid excessivly long roadway closures. With the North side in place with expanded capacity, more traditional methods can be used at lower cost. Hope that answers your question.

Good question "Why not Eastbound/" I was thinking the same thing. I have a meeting with UDOT today and pose that question for their response.

It seems as though this was posted by Wadsworth's PR department. I hate self promotion.

Knowing a little about Wadsworth, I don't think they're large enough to have a PR department, but even if they did and they posted the above comment, more power to them! They deserve the recognition. As a structural engineer, I've been following all the media attention on this project and all the media ever refers to is "UDOT's crews", when the physical work is done by Wadsworth, Horrocks and Mammoett. Since this project is so public, media wise, these guys should get some attention, be it good or bad.

Another reason is the bridge farm is on the wrong side of the freeway and would have to cross the traffic to get to the other side. I can't think of anywhere on the south side of I-80 that would work as well as the 1300 east on-ramp did.

Are you sure Mr. "Structural Engineer" isn't actually the PR guy. If not, how do you know a little about Wadsworth?

My company has done a little work with Wadsworth in the past. We try to keep in the loop to position ourselves for future work. You have to keep up with the details of what's going on to do that. We're not currently involved in the I-80 project, so there's nothing to be gained by our "promoting" Wadsworth - especially since I'm compelled to write these comments anonymously given who my company is. That being said, the fact remains that Wadsworth and the other companies that work on these major projects - that do such fantastic work ought to get some credit for actually doing the work, and not just be referred to in the media as "UDOT's crews".