Keystone Bridge Project showing signs of progress
Construction crews continue to install the temporary shoring structure for the Keystone Bridge. Efforts will help to stabilize the bridge repair, replace damaged stones and reopen pedestrian access.
By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register
The latest update on Elkader’s Keystone Bridge Rehabilitation Project indicates all aspects are progressing, specifically pertaining to the construction of the causeway and temporary protection berm, which were recently completed.
That work is part of the larger shoring structure installation, which is currently underway, and is expected to be finished sometime in the next week, if not sooner, based on the 17-day construction timeline.
Completion of the shoring structure is significant because, once installed, pedestrian access can be restored. As of now, the estimated target date for pedestrian access to resume is by Sept. 30, though engineering firm Origin Design stated in a project update memo, “we are hopeful the shoring installation will progress ahead of schedule.”
According to the same memo, ongoing masonry efforts to stabilize the south end of the east arch have continued as construction crews prepare to replace damaged stones. However, for safety and stability reasons, some of that work will be halted until the shoring structure is fully installed.
Origin estimates the remaining masonry work will take approximately 44 days following the shoring installation. Once that masonry work is complete, it is expected the shoring structure, protection berm and causeway can be removed.
Pavement removal and other utility work is also progressing, and additional crews are expected to be on site over the next few weeks to ensure progress continues on “non-critical path activities.”
As for the current timeline, based on the updated schedule and progress thus far, the shoring structure should be removed on Dec. 1, 2022. The project completion date is anticipated to be Dec. 28, 2023.
