The completion date for Beersheba Street Bridge replacement could be pushed back eight months due to problems with construction.
According to TDOT spokesperson Jennifer Flynn, Simpson Construction has submitted a change order and is asking for a new completion date of May 31, 2012.
“The change order is in the works, so it’s not official yet, but I believe that’s what they are asking for,” Flynn said of the new date.
Simpson Construction was awarded the $5.7 million project in September 2009 to replace the existing bridge. A completion date of September 2011 was set.
Since the project began, complications have slowed work considerably. Putting the project substantially behind were problems with relocating utilities, specifically relocating a water line.
“Yes, it is the reason that the project is behind,” Flynn said of the water line. “The original plan was to have the water line placed in or beneath the river, but there were permitting issues and other problems that caused that plan to be shelved.”
The answer to the problem was to suspend the line above ground and beside the new bridge. It will remain there permanently, says Flynn.
Being constructed at this time is half of what will be the new bridge. When that portion of the bridge is complete, traffic will use it as a two-lane bridge. The old bridge will then be removed and the second half of the new structure built.
TDOT has yet to officially approve the change order.