Bemidji,
Minn—The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) is advising
the public that it will begin construction on September 5th, to
repair the 15th Street bridge that passes over Trunk Highway 2 in
Bemidji. The bridge, located on County Road #6, was damaged when
struck by a truck on July 9, 2001.
According to
Duane Hill, Mn/DOT Northwest District Bridge Engineer, "nine strands
on one of the bridge's concrete beams were severed when hit by the
truck passing underneath the bridge on highway 2." Hill said, "the
work will require a portion of the bridge deck and railing to be
removed in order to replace the damaged beam, and once the beam
is replaced, a new portion of deck and railing will be cast over
the beam."
Hill added,
"the bridge will be open during construction but traffic lanes will
be narrowed and motorists are cautioned that a reduced speed will
be enforced." Traffic control on the westbound lanes of Trunk Highway
2 under the bridge will involved short-term lane and shoulder closures
during the removal of the concrete from the bridge. A detour will
also be in place beginning September 10, 2001, that may impact traffic
on County Roads 7 and 11, but the detour is expected to last for
only three to four days while the damaged beam is being removed
and a new one put in place.
Hill emphasized
that with all road and bridge construction, progress is often slowed
by the weather and he is asking for public cooperation and patience
during the repair of the bridge. The project is expected to be completed
in early October.
