December 2011

    

Left: View of the eastern side of the newly constructed bridge from Portland looking south

Right: Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) wall that runs between the River Bridge Abutment #2 and PARB Abutment #1

Construction of the new Veterans Memorial Bridge reached an important milestone on December 12 with the installation of the fourteenth and final closure segment. Once tensioned, the construction team can proceed to grout this final segment. Grout work which relies on warmer temperature to properly cure has been kept on schedule thanks to the mild winter thus far. With the final segment in place and grouting complete, both the east and west sides of the structure will become a single entity from Portland to South Portland.

Crews demolished the old barrier of the Pan Am Railroad Bridge (PARB) and have begun work on PARB Abutment #2 and installing steel beams. Construction in this vicinity is kept safe because of the new recruitment of a railroad flagger.

Finally, installation of the electrical conduit which runs through the entire bridge is progressing steadily.  Crews will spend the next month working on the PARB Bridge as well as the retaining wall on the South Portland end of the bridge.

If you are traveling southbound on the existing Veterans Memorial Bridge, MaineDOT will continue to impose an occasional one-lane closure.  This closure will improve safety for both the traveling public and the workers while construction continues.  MaineDOT reminds all motorists to continue to drive safely through the work zone and obey the posted speed limit of 35mph.  Violations committed within work zones shall be subject to double the fine amount.

Happy Holidays and safe travels to all.

November 2011

    

All precast segments have been installed. Both eastern and western sides of the bridge are from Portland looking south.

 

    

Left: Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) wall that runs between the River Bridge Abutment #2 and PARB Abutment #1

Right: South Portland approach

 

The construction team took delivery of the first precast segment on April 26th. With hard work, efficiency and favorable weather conditions, we are happy to report all 361 precast segments are now up, along with the completion of 11 of the 14 closure pours between cantilever spans.  When this closure is complete the entire east span will be closed from Portland to South Portland!

With the precast segments installed, the effort continues as crews strive to grout all segments before temperatures start to dip below freezing. A warmer temperature is necessary for the grout to properly adhere.

Aside from work on the segments, crews are a third of the way through the installation of the "zip strip" which runs the entire length of the bridge.  They are also forming and installing curb which will run along the east and west side of the bridge and as a divider between traffic lanes and the pedestrian / bicycle path.  

The Portland end of the bridge is being filled with dirt while excavation has started on the South Portland end so that crews can drive more piles for the retaining wall that will run along the west side of the approach facing I-295.

Last but not least, we recognize that there has been some inconvenience caused during several necessary night closures of the Veterans Memorial Bridge in October and November. Luckily, no traffic issues were reported and we thank all of you and the traveling public for helping keep this bridge construction on schedule.

Archives:

• October 2011 (PDF Format)
• September 2011 (PDF Format)
• August 2011 (PDF Format)
• July 2011 (PDF Format)
• June 2011 (PDF Format)
• May 2011 (PDF Format)
• April 2011 (PDF Formart)
• March 2011 (PDF Format)
• January 2011 (PDF Format)
• December 2010 (PDF Format)
• November 2010 (PDF Format)
• October 2010 (PDF Format)
• Summer 2010 (PDF Format)

News Releases

• 04/25/2011 361 Custom Built Precast Segments to be Delivered and Installed With Minimal Impacts to Traffic. (PDF Format )
• 04/05/2011 Southbound Lane Closure. (PDF Format )
• 02/08/2011 Southbound Lane Closure. (PDF Format )
• 06/18/2010 Construction on new bridge begins June 21, 2010. (PDF Format)
• 04/10/2010 Veterans Memorial Bridge Replacement Project Announces New Project Web site. (PDF Format)
• 02/04/2010 Veterans Memorial Bridge Replacement Project to Begin. (PDF Format)