4-26-07

DOT Project Manager Explains Cold River Bridge Delays

By Chuck Bingaman, Contributing Writer

          Bob Landry, DOT Project Manager for the Cold River replacement bridge project, said Thursday that a “number of factors—not just design specifications—had pushed back the projected completion date from the best possible date—November 2007—expressed at the January meetings of the bridge.”

 He also said that the delays that have come up would have been there regardless of which bridge design had been chosen.

          Landry said right of way issues regarding land on both sides of the bridge, permitting and the approval process had contributed to delays.  “I tried to make it clear in January,” said Landry, “that there are many factors that could affect the length of the process.”

          “Acquisition of easements or titles to land has to be done, and it has to be done right and it takes time.  It can be difficult to find common ground with abutting landowners, and sometimes making one change impacts another aspect of the project.”

          “Landowners,” noted Landry, “have concerns with the impact to their land, and we have to work through the process to make them feel comfortable with the project and the process.”

          “In total, we estimate that we are about six weeks behind schedule for the project, but that’s a crucial six weeks when it gets to November because of the weather and the ability to cure the concrete deck.  At that point, being behind in the work makes not a six-week delay but more like a six-month delay.”

          Landry said that on May 15, the Commission makes a decision on the project to either approve the Department’s resolution of issues or reject the resolution.  If the Commission approves, the Department receives a “finding of necessity”, for the project.  This approval allows the state to follow the rules of the Eminent Domain process to settle disputes between the state and landowners on the needed acquisition of land for the project.  He added that, “at this point, I am afraid that we will have to go to condemnation proceedings to acquire the necessary land rights.”

The current schedule for the project is Advertise for Bids on June 19th, open bids on July 12th, receive Governor and Executive Council approval in mid August, start construction in mid August, open bridge to traffic by May 15th, 2008.

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