Missouri-Illinois Crossing Meets Well In the Middle
The Route 74 Cape Girardeau crossing may be the last bridge in the U.S. to have its cables grouted, says Larry Owens, project manager for Evansville, Ind.-based Traylor Bros. Inc., the contractor. In recent years, sheathed cable-stays have become common. Since cable-grouting is not possible below 40°F, "hopefully the weather will cooperate and well get it all done by the end of the year," says Eric Krapf, project manager for the Missouri Dept. of Transportation.
The contract originally was awarded in 1996 to Flatiron Structures Co., Longmont, Col., but the contrctor negotiated out of the job when it encountered rock fissures that complicated foundation work, says Krapf. The state then hired Nicholson Construction Co., Puddy, Pa., to jet grout the fissures, "much like a dentist filling cavities," says Krapf.