As the concrete strike drags on, the crews for Seattle Department of Transportation are staying busy completing what is possible in terms of the final stages of repair on high rise bridge.
Photo by Patrick Robinson
Information from Seattle Department of Transportation
This week, we continued our focus on the interior of the bridge with more epoxy crack injections and beginning interior carbon-fiber wrapping on the west side of the bridge. We also completed more preparation work for the post-tensioning system that will be installed in the coming months. This work included core drilling holes through the bridge’s interior and positioning more forms for post-tensioning anchors.
Core drilling is a crucial step in preparing for the installation of post-tensioning cables as it creates holes for the cables to pass through the interior to the different parts of the bridge.
As we built and positioned forms for the post-tensioning components, we also installed rebar to provide added strength.
Working to measure, cut, and install strands of rebar into drilled holes for the deviator blocks that will guide the post-tensioning cables.
We also completed more work on the bridge’s expansion joints this week. We’re replacing some of these joints, which allow the different segments of the bridge to expand and contract with changes in temperature and make it stronger, and safer in the event of an earthquake.
After removing the old expansion joint, we prepare to install a new, flexible joint.
