If you're near the new bridge, get out your earplugs

Last update: March 3, 2008 - 10:06 PM

YES, THE GROUND IS MOVING: Anyone near the building site of the replacement Interstate 35W bridge will be able to hear -- and feel -- some of the progress being made this week, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is cautioning.

The next phase of construction involves installing steel supports on the north side, which will generate noise and vibrations nearby for about three days this week.

NOT PILE DRIVING: The installation procedure will include drilling or vibrating, which is different from -- and much less disruptive than -- the pile driving that was done at Abutment 1 in November.

OTHER TASKS: This week, crews will also be operating a concrete crusher, which will break up the pieces of the old roadway to be reused in the base of the rebuilt I-35W roadway. While the crusher is in use, additional noise -- including a loud, steady hum and back-up alarms -- will be noticeable. This work will take about a week to finish.

Both pile installation and concrete crushing will only occur between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. through Saturday.

PAUL WALSH