Concrete pouring for the surface of one of the new bridges at the intersection of Deerfoot Trail and Highway 22X has commenced and drivers in the area will see lane reductions on Wednesday and Thursday.
Wednesday and Thursday’s forecast are optimal for construction crews which could mean traffic snarls in the city’s southeast.
“We need warm weather while we're doing this, so it would be too cold at night this time of year,” says Alberta Transportation’s Gary Lamb. “Often we pour these bridge decks at night in the summer, because it's too hot during the day, so time of year dictates day time activity.”
On Wednesday afternoon, traffic was slowed to a crawl on east and westbound Highway 22X following the closure of two lanes to facilitate the bridge work. Traffic in both directions is being reduced from four to two lanes between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and the posted speed limit has been lowered to 40 km/h. The construction time was determined to minimize the impact on rush hour traffic.
An army of flag people are at the construction scene to direct vehicles through the intersection.
The concrete pour on this section of the Stoney Trail Project is expected to be finished by Thursday night. Once the pour is complete, the surface will be covered, watered, and heated for two weeks to ensure the concrete cures properly.
The southeast section of the ring road, connecting 17 Ave. S.E. with Macleod Trail at the south end of the city, is expected to be open by October 1, 2013.
(With files from Kevin Fleming)
