COLUMBUS -- The contractor’s confidence in completing the 33rd Avenue viaduct by early November has declined in recent weeks.
During the bi-weekly viaduct partnership meeting Tuesday, when asked about an anticipated completion date, Dan Cramer, project manager for Cramer & Associates, veered away from his typically optimistic response of early November and focused attention, more than once, on the contracted completion date of Dec. 5.
Despite “a few setbacks we are pushing to get it done,” Cramer said, and “we will open it the day we get done.”
A “bunch of minor setbacks” have been experienced throughout the process, according to Dave Anderson, Nebraska Department of Roads highway project manager, but he said, based on current progress, it would be feasible for the structure to be opened in mid- to late November.
Anderson said the contractor’s shift in attitude may be to prevent further disappointment should the milestone not be achieved in November.
“I think he just wanted to be conservative,” he said. “We just want to get it done by Dec. 5.”
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Viaduct may not open until December
By Adrian Sanchez asanchez@columbustelegram.com
Wednesday, Sep 30, 2009 - 10:08:01 am CDT
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Rich
Sep 30, 2009 11:21 AM
Looks like they are doing good. But if they whould work on Saturdays they might pick up some extra time.Look
Sep 30, 2009 12:01 PM
Nice picture.....4 men standing around-instead of working. No wonder it is lagging behind.....Chad
Sep 30, 2009 12:35 PM
Lets not be pushy on a finishing up date.!!!We as a city can put up with this for a extra month. It would be better to wait longer to have the job done right than to have to stick money in it in five years to correct something.Lets make sure the job is done right so it will last for years with no big problems.
its time
Sep 30, 2009 1:52 PM
Even with a few setbacks I would call it "pushing to get it done" If that were true they would be working all hours of the night.moved away
Oct 1, 2009 8:38 AM
doesn't surprise me a bit. But if it makes things safer for the delay then ok. But get it done already!!!! Hate coming home to visit. Such a mess in town!!!andy
Oct 1, 2009 10:33 AM
Should put a toll booth up on it to help cover repairs.Either way UP stuck it to the city they got to close crossings and use what was left for private parking and extend their switch yard.
You would of thought with the distancing of track that they would of also made them keep them the same or greater with from buildings but that wouldnt work to their advantage
nam man
Oct 1, 2009 8:55 PM
Whatever time it takes, it will be a beautiful structure when completed. I am impressed with the contractor, he tore down and rebuilt the one in Lincoln in what seemed like a short time, everyone I've talked with that lives in Lincoln was also impressed by this guy and his crew. Good job guys, looking forward to completion, whenever.Levi
Oct 2, 2009 8:48 AM
I am sure given the early completion bonuses that they are doing everything they can. It is an elegant structure and I am very impressed with how quickly and professionally Cramer & Associates have worked.I am becoming quite disgusted with some of the residents in the community. I have always bragged about how friendly, accomadating, and laid back the people in my home town are. Unfortunately, I can't say that anymore. The behaviour of some recently has made me ashamed, all of Columbus should be ashamed by the terrible behaviour of this city.
Buford
Oct 2, 2009 2:04 PM
Before this started I would have been really disappointed to hear this news. However, I've gotten a bit used to it and once it opens it will be very nice but I can live without it for a little while longer. It should look very nice when done. You can tell that when crossing the tracks downtown.
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