Thursday, 04 January 2007 01:33
Bypass Opening Delayed Until Mid- February
A new schedule has been announced for the opening of
the Hwy 49 Bypass of Sutter Creek and Amador City.
According to Project Manager Scott Maas, the Sutter Creek
Bridge false work is still being removed, slowly, and it is now estimated to be
mid-February before the Bypass will be ready to open. Maas states that The
removal of the current section of false work will be completed this week. The removal of the last section,
Span #1, will begin this week and will take approximately 4 weeks to
accomplish. Maas indicates that this delay is not being caused by lack of
equipment or personnel; instead he states “it is just time consuming to remove
the false work carefully and safe! The bridge railing is expected to be
completed in the next 2 to 3 weeks.
Maas
states that The PG&E gas line extension is still under construction as well
There is approximately 400 feet of trenching required with a depth of approximately
4 to 6 feet that needs to be completed. This work is located between Valley
View and the highway and will be in the shoulder of the roadway. Natural gas to
existing customers will not be interrupted and Maas emphasizes that this work
does not affect the Bypass from opening to traffic. It is anticipated that
this work will be completed within the next 3 weeks. The Bypass Contractor was
given 46 extra working days for the blasting work that was unforeseen when the
initial bids were approved for the project. The extra days were given due to
“efficiency” to complete the work. The opening of the bypass in Mid February
will coincide with the expiration of the contract around mid-February, plus the
addition of rain days.
