Crossing the Ellsworth Street Bridge on Sept. 19. The work to raise the height clearance looked complete.
On Albany’s Ellsworth Street Bridge, construction work to raise the height clearance looked complete last week, at least to drivers crossing the bridge. But the job is not yet done.
Wildish Standard Paving Co., Eugene, has a $4.5 million contract from ODOT to raise the height clearance of the bridge from 14 feet, 10.5 inches to 17 feet, 2.5 inches.
On most weeknights since April 1, the bridge has been closed overnight from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. so the work can be done. Southbound traffic has been detoured over the Lyon Street Bridge.
Last week, the last of the existing cross beams or truss assemblies — I’m not sure of the proper name for these steel structures — had been replaced. Drivers could tell because in the new ones, the X formed by the cross pieces is a lot flatter than before.
In July, ODOT spokeswoman Mindy McCartt said that besides replacing the cross beams or truss members, the project would include removing rust under the bridge and installing new lights on top.
Now, before the new lights are in, you can see a colorful sight if you drive across the bridge at night on a weekend (which is when the bridge is open at night): The underside of the new beams — either because they’re polished or just new — reflect taillights and street lights all the way down Ellsworth.
One of the items left to do is to install the warning showing that people on bikes are on the bridge. When it’s in place and working, cyclists can activate the flashing warning by punching a button on the side of the road. (hh)
The work that was done was difficult to follow because it was done so well and at night that it was hard to see what had been done.
For once a job was done with minimal disruption of traffic and the Wildish crew deserves a Well Done.
Now we will wait and see how long it takes for the first over-height truck load to take out the fix.
Right. Wrong! Or do they deserve a well done???!!!
Not so fast! Traveled on Lyon tonight after 9:00. Still two way traffic across the bridge.
I think they ought to have signs on both bridges Telling people to move off to one side for the emergency vehicles to go thru smoothly safely and without interruption. few minutes would make all the different in the world to safe someone’s life.