11/21/2008
Crews complete substructure for new Watts Bridge on U.S. 93 north of Challis
RIGBY ‑ Crews have completed the substructure for the new Watts Bridge on U.S. 93 north of Challis, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) announced.
Crews poured footings, piers and abutments for the bridge this summer and fall. They also constructed mechanically stabilized earthen walls for approaches to the bridge, which will be 360 feet long. Located on U.S. 93 about 10 miles north of Challis at milepost 257, the bridge is being constructed adjacent to the existing Watts Bridge, which was built in 1938.
ITD's Bridge Inspection Department in Boise rated the sufficiency of the existing bridge at 46.3 out of 100 in 2006. A sufficiency rating below 50 indicates the bridge is due for replacement.
The bridge‑replacement project over the Salmon River also includes realigning U.S. 93 to straighten the roadway on each side of the bridge. Beams for the new steel‑girder bridge will arrive in the spring. Crews will set these girders and pour the deck.
Construction is scheduled for completion by September 2009.
When the bridge is finished and placed into service, crews will remove the old bridge. During construction, the speed limit in the work zone will be 45 mph. When construction resumes in the spring, work will take place between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. five days per week.
ITD awarded Idaho Construction Company Inc. of Kimberly the $5.46 million contract for the bridge‑replacement project.