Guess what....I-485 delayed again

Well...one of the blog's favorite theme's from the past year or so is back.

New delays push completion of I-485 further back. Where and how many times have we read that before, eh?

Story in the October 14th Charlotte Observer:
http://www.charlotte.com/local/story/318586.html

Anyways, here's the scoop on the latest section of I-485 to be delayed. The currently under construction six mile section from NC 16 to NC 115 -- including the large interchange with I-77 near Huntersville -- will not be opened until at least late summer of next year (2008). Originally this section was to open this past March, then this coming December, you get the idea.

And like prior delays, there is some bickering between the contractor (this time Skanska USA Civil Southeast) and NCDOT. The issue this time (not signs) but issues on utility relocation and right of way purchases. The contractor contends that the DOT did not acquire all of the right of way. The state freely admits that the relocation of utilities took longer than expected.

As a result, there's still a lot of concrete to be poured. Skanska has recently built a small concrete plant near Vance Road and some work should start soon.

Oh one last thing, if the $96 million project is delayed. There's a $10,000 day fine to the contractor for each day the opening falls late. The DOT hasn't given Skanska any waivers (yet) and pretty much expects that there will be negotiations as to any fines and fees due (if any) and who is at fault for what delays. (Which of course means more blog entries here!)

So there's one good thing, because of the delays..the gap between the completion of I-485 to I-77 and construction of the missing link to I-85 near University (currently scheduled to begin in 2013) will only be about five years vs. six. (Unless that too - as it already has been - gets delayed.)

Comments

Former US Route 50 and the Pioneer Route Lincoln Highway on Johnson's Pass Road

Johnson's Pass Road is one of the oldest highway corridors in California. Johnson's Pass was part of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road as it was completed during 1856 over the Sierra Nevada. The pass would later be incorporated into the Pioneer Branch of the Lincoln Highway in 1913 and US Route 50 in 1926. Johnson's Pass Road would be bypassed by a new alignment of US Route 50 over Echo Summit in 1938. A replacement of the Meyers Grade east of Johnson's Pass would be opened to traffic in 1947. Johnson's Pass Road remains accessible to traffic and is still signed by the Lincoln Highway Association. Pictured as the blog cover is the view from the top of Johnson's Pass Road overlooking modern US Route 50 and Lake Tahoe. Part 1; the history of Johnson's Pass Much of the history of what become the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road is discussed in the September 1950 California Highways & Public Works during its Centennial Edition. The or...

Former US Route 50 and the South Lincoln Highway from Folsom east to Placerville

The corridor of Folsom of Sacramento County east to Placerville of El Dorado County has been a long established corridor of overland travel dating back to the California Gold Rush. The Folsom-Placerville corridor was once part of the path of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road which became the first California State Highway and later the South Lincoln Highway. In time the South Lincoln Highway's surface alignment was inherited by US Route 50. The Folsom-Placerville corridor also includes the communities of; Clarksville, Shingle Springs and El Dorado. Part 1; the history of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road, South Lincoln Highway and US Route 50 through Folsom-Placerville Folsom is located on the American River/Lake Natoma of eastern Sacramento County. That lands now occupied by the City of Folsom were part of Rancho Rio de los Americanos prior to the finding of gold at Sutter's Mill during 1848. During the California Gold Rush the lands of Rancho Rio de los Americanos were p...

Angus L. Macdonald Bridge

At 1.3 kilometers (or about 0.84 miles) in length, the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge is one of two bridges crossing over the Halifax Harbour between Halifax, Nova Scotia and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, with the other bridge being the A. Murray Mackay Bridge . Opened in 1955 and named after former Nova Scotia Premier and Canadian Minister of Defense for Naval Services Angus L. Macdonald, the Macdonald Bridge was the first bridge that crossed Halifax Harbour that was opened to traffic. The Macdonald Bridge was also the subject of the Big Lift, which was only the second time in history that the span of a suspension bridge were replaced while the bridge was open to traffic. Planning began in 2010 for the Big Lift, while construction took place between 2015 and 2017. Similar work occurred on the Lion's Gate Bridge in Vancouver, British Columbia before the project took place on the Macdonald Bridge. At this time, much of the bridge infrastructure is new, leaving only the towers, main cables and...

Gribblenation

Search This Blog