COLUMBUS -- Deterioration may result in the complete closure of the 33rd Avenue viaduct for an estimated 10 months during reconstruction.
According to a potential change in the schedule and method of reconstruction discussed between the city and Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR), the viaduct would be closed to traffic beginning in February 2009 and not reopen until December 2009.
The public and City Council will have an opportunity to hear from NDOR officials, design consultants and city staff regarding this issue and provide their opinions and ask questions at a special meeting of the council at 7 p.m. Monday in the City Council Chambers, 1369 25th Ave.
The initial plan was to work on the eastern two lanes to maintain two-lane traffic, with one lane in each direction, on the western side and vice versa when the eastern half was complete. The state was anticipated to begin construction in January 2009 and complete the project in November 2010, with a single lane in each direction during 17 of those months.
Based on the new plans being considered by NDOR, construction would begin in October 2008 and continue through June 2010, with the viaduct being closed from February 2009 until December 2009.
Proposed detours show local traffic being detoured along 23rd Avenue and Eighth Street. U.S. Highway 30 traffic would be rerouted to Highways 64 and 15 and U.S. Highway 81 traffic would be rerouted to Highways 39 and 22, through Silver Creek, Genoa and Monroe.
City Engineer Merlin Lindahl said the viaduct asphalt on top is OK, but the underside of the viaduct is deteriorating faster than initially thought, because of trapped moisture. Much of that is occurring on the southbound lanes.
He said if the state proceeded with the original plan, shifting nearly 20,000 daily vehicles from four lanes to two, the degradation could become more rapid and it could increase the number of deck failures, such as the one that occurred in a southbound lane in February (the tracks below the viaduct could be seen through the hole).
NDOR’s report said if the state moves forward as planned if a hole or failure occurs while only two lanes of traffic are open the structure would have to be closed to traffic for each repair, which would result in construction delays and significant additional costs to the project.
City Administrator Joseph Mangiamelli said he asked the state why construction work could not begin on the western half and the response was the same concerns existed.
City Administrator Joseph Mangiamelli said the reason for the special meeting and the urgency is because NDOR had planned to hold public meetings for the reconstruction project beginning in April, but with the recent inspection results NDOR may change their plans and they want to receive input from the city and its citizens before moving forward.
Monday’s meeting is being held to “present the city council with information upon which to make a recommendation,” Mangiamelli said. “It gives the community and elected officials an opportunity to hear the issues.”
A final recommendation is expected from the council the following week, during their regularly scheduled meeting on April 7.
“We want to minimize the traffic concerns and safety concerns,” he said, and discuss “if it is in the best interest to continue with the original plan or to change that plan.”
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