COLUMBUS -- A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the reopening of the viaduct is scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving, at least according to event invitations being distributed by the City of Columbus.
After nearly 10 months without an unobstructed route across the railroad tracks, a date and time has been targeted to reopen the structure, but the Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) is less sure the viaduct will be open to traffic by 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25.
City Administrator Joseph Mangiamelli said the expectation is sufficient work will be completed to allow traffic to begin using the viaduct.
“That’s what we’re planning,” Mangiamelli said, and “we’re planning it will be open after” the ribbon cutting.
The date for the reopening was identified by Dan Cramer, project manager for Cramer & Associates Inc., who said “that’s my best guess.”
“That’s the date we’re shooting for,” Cramer said, adding “hopefully, I’m not overly optimistic.”
The contracted date to reopen the structure is Dec. 5 and includes an incentive of $3,315 for each day, up to 60 days, the project is completed prior to Dec. 5.
Sufficient completion to permit traffic will depend on the weather, Cramer said, but should the forecast hold up “I believe we will make it.”
Dave Anderson, highway project manager for NDOR, said completion of the traffic signal work and center median on the structure will determine whether or not traffic will be permitted on the viaduct and ultimately the final determination will be made by the state.
“If the center median on the arch is not up, and we can’t operate the traffic signals, it can’t be open to traffic,” Anderson said, and the state “probably won’t know until that day or one day ahead of time if we can open it to safe travel.”
Anderson said he would have preferred the scheduling of the ribbon-cutting ceremony had been held off, but with invitations already en route to the governor and other state and local officials “our hands are tied.”
“We are going to have to react,” he said. “Hopefully, the ribbon cutting ceremony is completed ... so there aren’t hundreds of cars left waiting to cross the viaduct” should the project not be ready for traffic by next Wednesday.
Viaduct to open in 7 days, maybe
By Adrian Sanchez asanchez@columbustelegram.com
Wednesday, Nov 18, 2009 - 10:06:46 am CST
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Way to go
Nov 18, 2009 10:42 AM
WAY TO GO!!! I think the crews have been very professional and have done one heck of a job considering what they were up against! I just wanted to let them know that I think they did a great job!! Thanks for all your hard work, for getting it open early, and for being a good member of our community while you have been here! Thanks again!Wagner Laker
Nov 18, 2009 12:13 PM
You have just made my day, month & year!!!!!!!I cannpt wait until 4:00 on Wednesday - I may just drive up and down it until dark. In fact, I think we may have Thanksgiving dinner on it!!
marwie
Nov 18, 2009 2:30 PM
LOL!! Wagner laker!! That is a pretty good idea! Wagner lakes should have waited to have their hayrack ride until the viaduct was open!Out of Towner
Nov 18, 2009 5:21 PM
Don't count your chickens before they hatch. It will be nice if it gets done early however, they may be giving false hope and will leave alot of people very upest. On a good note, they are doing an extremely great job on the viaduct. CONGRATSCharles Cheek
Nov 18, 2009 8:37 PM
Personally I do not see how the viaduct can be opened to trafic before December 5th. The concrete wil not have had sufficient time to cure before that time and will not allow safe travel before that time. Proper cure time is 28 days under the best of conditions.troy coffey
Nov 18, 2009 8:42 PM
Sending out invatations how special NOT. Citizens have been dodging trains,trafic jams closed crossings.In my opinion just open the viaduct with no special event so people can get back to a normal routine.Former Rez
Nov 18, 2009 8:45 PM
will the ornamental lighting on the arches be working at this time too (if it hasn't been working already)?Swingset
Nov 18, 2009 9:14 PM
Looks done to me...lets open it now! Seriously, I think the crew has done a great job. I will be so glad when it's open again.john
Nov 18, 2009 9:55 PM
It's going to be great to have it done and open. However Troy's 1000% right, just open it! IT's a road, A ribbon cutting? come on! But don't mind me. I just got done driving east to 12th ave to cross because there was a train blocking everything else. That new viaduct looks better every day.way to go joe
Nov 18, 2009 11:27 PM
So, the guy in charge of the project says there is still work to do, and he won't open it until it is ready. Great job Mr. Anderson. I apprciate that you are making sure it is done right, not just done. At this point, ± 1 or 2 weeks is not a big deal.Then, our city admin is quoted: “That’s what we’re planning,” Mangiamelli said, and “we’re planning it will be open after” the ribbon cutting. Idiot.
Manhawke
Nov 19, 2009 9:47 AM
To Former Rez - The lighting has been on for the last 2 nights. Very soft and subtle, just enough to make the arches visible. Good job contractors. The whole thing looks really nice.North sider
Nov 19, 2009 10:12 PM
Great, now the south siders will back on the good side of town more often!!!!!!!???????gg
Nov 20, 2009 8:09 AM
I am so jealous of the people who are the builders and designers of that viaduct. They get to say I made that and for the next hundred years people will look at the viaduct and say wow! Thank you to every one even the city officials that got this passed! Even though it is not completed it looks so pretty at night time. Thank you
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