A lot has happened since we last visited this project in April, as crews get ready for the next big step in their construction process: bringing in and setting beams on the new concrete columns and caps (a cap is the platform that goes across the top of the columns and helps distribute weight from the beams to the columns - the more you know!). In recent weeks, workers finished the new central columns and cap, and now they're completing wooden forms so they can pour the concrete that will be the cap on the east-end abutment. Project engineers believe the beams will be set later this summer - we'll send out a social media alert and a news release to let everyone know when that will be happening.
In the meanwhile, other teams have finished a few retaining walls. You may also see workers doing specialized tasks from time to time, like this traffic signal engineering duo. Be sure to drive alert and carefully throughout the work zone - you never know who could be active close by.
The grading crews are still at work along many of the interchange's on-ramps and off-ramps, building up and leveling the land that will contain the new widened lanes. Below, you can see that the area around the off-ramp from Interstate 75 to SR 31 WB is all flat and level, while teams are continuing the process on the on-ramp from Interstate 75 to SR 31 EB. Imagine how efficient this interchange will be in future, with the extra lanes on the on-ramps and off-ramps leading to the new roundabouts at the intersections.
