Published: July 07, 2009 07:52 pm      

Weather slows work on overpass project

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The new overpass/interchange is still slated to be opened in September, however wet weather conditions have prevented some work from being undertaken on the Veterans Memorial Drive portion of the project.

“The Veterans Memorial Drive work has been affected by rain,” Greg Smothers of the Illinois Department of Transportation said. “We thought we would be able to gear that up again this week, but then the rain on the weekend put a lot of water on the ground and set it back again.”

But work has been continuing, with crews working at night, Smothers said.

“Crews have been painting the steel on the bridge and re-striping the pavement,” Smothers commented. “For the last couple of weeks, we’ve had a subcontractor erecting the highway lighting, and the signs, both directional and for food and gas vendors.”

In March, Smothers said if weather conditions cooperated, the project could be ready for opening in July, however, Smothers said although the July date has been moved back due to the rain, September is still ahead of the scheduled completion date.

When the construction bid for the project was awarded to E.T. Simonds Construction, the contract specified construction would begin by April 1, 2008, and the completion date is set by June 2010. E.T. Simonds was able to begin clearing brush and trees as well as some preliminary dirt work in March 2008, a month before the company was required to begin construction.

“We want to have it completed this work season,” Smothers said. “Right now, we’re estimating mid- to late September, if the weather holds out.”

Smothers said the overpass/interchange could be opened by September, but not all work completed, stating only “punch out items” would be left that could be completed while traffic was on the roadway.

“Even after it’s opened, there will still be some miscellaneous things that will need to be wrapped up,” Smothers said.