A month ago, it appeared the Rocky Ford bridge construction would finish at least a month ahead of schedule. Even with notable issues with the bridge deck that appeared shortly after a KVOE Morning Show interview, Lyon County Engineer Wayne Scritchfield still believes the bridge can be done in June — or near the original timeline.
Scritchfield had an update on the overall construction project on KVOE’s Morning Show on Thursday, including the bridge deck situation.
Scritchfield says work on the bridge deck couldn’t resume until it cured. The contractor checked the deck elevation, including the use of an ultrasonic machine to determine the rebar depth and hole boring to determine the deck depth.
Once Lyon County commissioners approve the new work, Scritchfield says certain areas will be milled or sandblasted before the deck will get repoured. There is a 21-day curing period for the concrete.
Even with the unplanned work on the deck, Scritchfield says the overall project is approaching 75 percent completed.
The original Rocky Ford bridge dates back to 1907 and was the site of Sandra Bird’s murder in 1983. Scritchfield says there are other reasons why this is a significant project for Lyon County.
The original bridge is being left in place but will not be available for vehicle traffic.
Besides Rocky Ford, Scritchfield says there are three bridge projects either underway or coming later this year. Highway Department crews are currently building an 80-foot bridge on Road 310 between Roads B and C, with up to 3 months left on that project. There is also a redecking project for a bridge on Road 150 west of the Kansas Turnpike and a truss bridge replacement southeast of the Emporia Municipal Airport set for later this year.
