Due to concerns with yearly migration patterns, there is a limited window in which construction can take place within the
Willamette River. This time period starts on July 1st. And construction on the new bridge will accept no slack. Workers have already started moving barges and derricks into place, two weeks ahead of time, to take full advantage of the limited time available to them.
To ensure the safety of all, whether those working or having fun on the river, no wake and no entry zones have been established (as detailed in the map on right, provided by
TriMet). The zones are in effect starting yesterday, June 15th, until the end of the world in December 2012.
The construction of the (unofficially named)
Caruthers Bridge, will start with the building of the two columns that will support the main structure. This will involve sinking two tubes-like cofferdams into the river, which will serve to keep the water out of the construction site and likely as the molds for the columns themselves. Before laying the foundation, the silt, sand, and organic materials that make up a river bottom must be removed clear to the bedrock in order for there to be a solid mass to attach the columns to.
I plan on keeping a weekly photo update of the construction through out, starting in two weeks.
Happy hunting,
Brett
