The third bridge closure went according to the pattern set so far… the inconvenient closure happens, the work goes smoothly, and the bridge opens ahead of schedule. It’s a slightly unexpected, but very nice pattern to have for a gigantic, complex construction project! To relive the golden moments of the support installation we bring you these photos of our own, and we’d also like to direct you to David Ashton’s excellent article on the episode for the Sellwood Bee, the local paper that’s been following the Bridge reconstruction from the very first public meetings.
One of the 25 concrete beams arrives by truck
Concrete beam being lowered into place by crane
With the supports in place, we’re beginning to get feel for what the new bridge will look like. One of the next major visual changes will be when the gigantic steel arches are put in place. Those arches are already under construction at Thompson Metal Fab in Vancouver. Each arch rib is about 300 feet long and weighs 400 tons. They are so heavy that a naval architect will need to develop the plan for loading them in sections onto a barge, to ensure the barge remains stable. The folks at the Sellwood Bridge Replacement project brought us a look at just how titanic these arches will be…
Overhead welding unit with Sellwood steel
Welder seen through bridge steel
Sellwood steel arch stretches outside factory
Sellwood steel arch assembly indoors
As always, Multnomah County maintains the definitive website on everything related to the Sellwood Bridge Replacement project, www.sellwoodbridge.org. Construction and closure alerts, archived information, and other resources are all available 24/7 for your convenience. If you’re looking for something that’s not on the website, you can contact Mike Pullen (mike.j.pullen@multco.us, 503-209-4111) or visit www.sellwoodbridge.org.
