Test project contract awarded to Washington contractor
VANCOUVER – The Columbia River Crossing project announced today that Max J. Kuney Company has been awarded a $4.22 million contract to conduct a construction techniques test project in early 2012. The Washington contractor submitted the lowest of eight bids for the test project.
“This work is important because it will help evaluate bridge foundation construction techniques for the replacement bridge across the Columbia River,” said Kris Strickler, deputy project director. “The test project will allow engineers to refine design assumptions and project plans, keeping us on schedule to start construction by the end of 2013.”
The test project focuses on construction techniques for drilling shafts and pile driving. Construction crews plan a total of three drilled shafts and a set of five driven piles at two on-land locations just west of the Interstate 5 Bridge near the I-5/State Route 14 interchange in Washington and near the Hayden Island interchange in Oregon. Drilled shafts are deep, cylindrical holes that concrete is poured into to form bridge foundations. A driven pile is a long, cylindrical steel column that is driven into the soil to provide support for bridges and other structures.
Construction on the test project is scheduled to be complete in June 2012. Additional information about the drilled shaft project will be distributed to area businesses and residents and posted on the CRC website before work starts.
Additional information about bid results and contract awards may be found on the Washington State Department of Transportation website.
About the CRC project
CRC is a long-term, comprehensive project to reduce congestion, enhance mobility and improve safety on I-5 between SR 500 in Vancouver, Wash., and Columbia Boulevard in Portland. The project will replace the I-5 bridge, extend light rail to Vancouver, improve closely-spaced interchanges and enhance the pedestrian and bicycle path between the two cities. The project will be funded by federal and state sources, as well as future tolls.
Written comments may be submitted on the CRC project at any time at feedback@columbiarivercrossing.org. More information is available on the CRC project website: www.columbiarivercrossing.org.
