Work to replace the westbound lanes of Pine Street bridge over the Black River is progressing well, despite a late start.
Some environmental permitting and railroad clearances initially slowed the project down, said Travis Slayton, project manager for Robertson Contractors Inc.
“But even with the late start we’re progressing well,” said Slayton. “Everything is going as planned.”
The crew is currently taking advantage of the low river levels, which have allowed for the construction of a temporary crossing.
“We’re just hoping the water stays below the top of that crossing until late next month so we can get a substantial amount of the work done within the river basin,” Slayton explained this week.
Crews are working on the portion of the substructure that’s between the river and the railroad tracks.
“If we can get that part of it done before the river rises, or I guess before Clearwater opens the gates,” it would be good, he said.
Slayton said that the project so far is going as planned, but is extremely dependent on the weather.
The project, which is expected to cost approximately $3.5 million, will replace the 88-year-old westbound bridge over Black River on Business 60 (Pine Street).