With a spring to his step, Junior Salas became the first person to cross the Mississippi River on the new Interstate 35W bridge Saturday.
"I felt like a king," said Salas after crossing the remaining 7-foot gap on a metal catwalk
The bridge is about 80 percent complete, said Jon Chiglo, MnDOT's project manager for the I-35W reconstruction. The bridge is expected to open to traffic in September, about 13 months after last year's collapse.
I wonder if they will make it in time for the Republican Convention?
I saw this on tv this morning, they seem to be moving pretty fast on the building. I know it will be nice to get this route back for everybody!
There are some of us who are concerned that it is too fast... I just want them to get it right this time. I don't recall exactly but I think that the original estimates were at least 2 years. This project has been fast-tracked from the start. One concern that I share with many others here, is that shortcuts might be used.
When construction started they lowered the estimate to December 2008. Now they are looking to finish in September 2008. The construction company will receive a $200,000 a day bonus for each day that the bridge is finished before the Dec. 24 deadline, up to 100 days. It is a 20 million dollar incentive.
I understand and share your feelings, hopefully they (the inspectors) won't let that happen.
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