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News you can use
Poteet Construction's Jim Fayden controls the flow of traffic to keep Steve Raykowski safe as he works on the Viaduct on Seventh Avenue Monday in Havre. Raykowski wasgrinding away the side white marker line, ma
Project Foreman John Meyer of Dick Anderson Construction in the orange vest and another construction worker walk across the Viaduct on Seventh Avenue in Havre as Meyers oversees the startup of the maintenance construction for the the Viaduct and the Milk River bridge north of the viaduct. Dick Anderson Construction and Poteet Construction will be replacing the expansion joints and resurfacing the viaduct and working on the bridge over the next three months, giving them a longer life span and safer driving conditions.
Construction crews began work Monday on a $1.4- million, multi-phase rehabilitation project that officials say will improve the deck surface and extend the life of the viaduct, as well as resurface the Milk River bridge.
Project Manager Ashley Davis of Dick Anderson Construction out of Helena, the company that Montana Department of Transportation awarded the project to on a bid of $1,456,173.98, said the Havre Seventh Avenue Deck Preservation project is preventive care and scheduled to be complete by mid-August. The company has 85 working days to complete the project, he added.
Montana Department of Transportation Project Manager Beth Doran said the work is needed.
"It was worn and we're trying to resurface to improve that," she said.
She said two inches will be shaved off the surface of the viaduct and then it will be resurfaced. The end result will include skid resistance, Doran said.
The three-phase project also includes replacing the expansion joints in the bridge. Expansion joints, Davis said, allows the bridge to expand and contract without cracking.
"The end result is to improve the structure for the traveling public," Davis said.
Davis said the project will never restrict flow of traffic in either direction.
"We will maintain one lane of traffic in each direction for the course of the project," Davis said, adding there may be "infrequent" times when one lane will be used for flow in both directions with flaggers directing traffic.
As for the Milk River bridge, that part will include deck repair and resealing, Doran said.
People driving wide loads and planning on driving through the area are encouraged to contact Davis at 459-5393 before traveling through to make sure they can get through.
"Wide loads will be restricted at times," Doran said.
Davis asked that the public be patient and careful when driving over the viaduct. Everyone working onsite has loved ones and the goal is safety.
"Keep your head on a swivel," he said.
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