Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long will this project last?
A: The completion date for construction should be no later than June 30, 2011 but the contractor will try to finish the project sooner if possible.
Q: How much will this project cost and how is it being funded?
A: The budget for the bridge replacement is $3.3 million. Approximately 90% of the project funds are coming from the Federal Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program, which is administered by the Oregon Department of Transportation. The balance of the funding is provided by the City of Astoria's portion of the Oregon state gas tax and vehicle fees, which are dedicated to transportation purposes. Property, income, or City's local gas taxes are not used for this project.
Q: What hours will crews be working?
The construction crew should be working weekdays no earlier than 7 a.m. and no later than 6:00 p.m. The contractor is not expecting to do any night or weekend work. Of course, unusual situations may require some flexibility regarding this schedule.
Q: Who is the contractor doing the work?
A: Granite Construction Northwest (www.graniteconstruction.com). The construction project manager is Grant Youngren, a native of Astoria.
Q: Will the bridge be closed during construction?
A: The bridge will be kept open to traffic throughout construction with the exception of a couple very brief windows when beams need to be set and the bridge is closed to traffic for a few hours. Neighbors will be notified before this happens. Otherwise, a temporary traffic signal will alternate traffic (cars and pedestrians) in and out of the neighborhood. Emergency vehicles will be allowed access at all times.
Q: How can you keep the bridge open at the same time it is being replaced?
A: The bridge will be stage-constructed in halves. Phase 1 (approximately April through August 2010) will involve demolishing and re-constructing the south half of the structure. The existing north half of the bridge will be shored up with additional bracing so that vehicles can use it. Then, during Phase 2 (approximately September through February 2011), the north half will be demolished and replaced while vehicles use the new south half. The final phase of work (Spring 2011) will involve adding bridge railing, lighting and sidewalks.
Q: What about noise and vibration from the work?
There will be no pile driving. The bridge supports will be constructed with drilled shafts filled with rebar and concrete. This should lessen noise and vibrations.
Q: Is anyone taking into account the 25th anniversary of "The Goonies" movie that will bring additional tourists into the neighborhood?
The construction team is aware of The Goonies reunion and is taking steps to ensure that visitors aren't wandering into a construction zone unnecessarily. The Chamber of Commerce has been alerted to the project and has agreed to modify their visitor maps. Additional signage may be placed at the bottom of the hill on Franklin Street.