Thursday, October 23, 2008

Emergency demolition of SH 310 bridge in southeast Dallas is underway

By Pegasus News wire

The Texas Department of Transportation has drafted an emergency contract with AUI Contractors, Inc. of Fort Worth, who began demolishing the SH 310 bridge over U.S. 175 at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Demolition was necessary after TxDOT bridge engineers determined the bridge was damaged beyond repair following a fuel truck collision and explosion on Sunday, Oct. 12.

AUI Contractors, Inc. is expected to employ heavy equipment crushers and jack hammers -- jack hammers! -- that will literally tear the bridge structure apart. Literally.

All lanes of SH 310 will remain closed in both directions until the bridge can be rebuilt; however, TxDOT has set a deadline to reopen the mainlanes of U.S. 175 by Friday, Oct. 31. Detour routes have been established and signed to assist motorists.

Those going southbound SH 310/Eastbound U.S. 175 will detour onto eastbound Hatcher Street, then will turn right onto southbound 2nd Avenue. Traffic will then merge onto eastbound U.S. 175. Traffic wishing to continue to SH 310 will continue along U.S. 175, then turn on westbound Loop 12, and will be able to re-enter north or southbound SH 310.

Those going northbound SH 310/Westbound U.S. 175 will detour onto eastbound U.S. 175 to Bexar Street, then will cross under U.S. 175 and head westbound along U.S. 175. Traffic will then be able to re-enter northbound SH 310.

The alternate route using I-45 will be able to avoid the detour by heading southbound on I-45, then exiting eastbound Loop 12. Traffic will then merge onto east or westbound U.S. 175.

TxDOT is working diligently to restore the bridge structure and anticipate having the bridge complete and open by Dec. 15, 2008, or earlier. TxDOT asks the traveling public to be patient and remain aware when traveling through the work zone.

Source: TxDOT

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