March 3 Third Avenue Bridge Renovation Photos from Doug Verdier

Editors Note: Mill District resident Doug Verdier continues to document the progress of the Water Works project. He has also been documenting the Third Avenue Bridge refurbishment project.

Progress continues on the Third Avenue Bridge project. With the removal of equipment and the sandbag barrier surrounding the pier near the middle of the bridge, the remaining Caterpillar excavator rests on a small gravel island awaiting lift by crane to the bridge above. Three workers joined the Cat on the island to attach lifting equipment to the machine. The removal of the barrier surrounding the pier was well coordinated to remove the barrier materials up to the bridge by crane, while gradually reducing the size of the area beneath the tracks of the excavator. This allowed the water level flowing around the base of the pier to rise to normal level.

The photo above shows the lifting device attached to the excavator prior to being lifted from the small “island” in the river.

And we have liftoff! The Cat is being hoisted up by crane while two of the workers watch from the island below. Another worker can be seen on the ladder behind the lift just above the Cat.

After a brief ride, the Cat is about to be safely lowered onto the bridge.

Following the Cat’s extraction from the “island” a clamshell was used to remove the remaining gravel from the area near the base of the pier to restore the water level to normal. Restoration work on the pier surface will continue using the wooden platform attached above the base of the pier.

Meanwhile, beneath the bridge next to West River Parkway and the pedestrian and bike path, another excavator is preparing a work surface in a channel where river water formerly flowed. Some of the timbers that were delivered on site earlier in the week have been laid over the walkway to protect the surface from damage by machinery as work proceeds.

Ice had to be chopped in order to put the gravel into the channel. Some of the deterioration of the pier can be seen in this image. Visible below the deteriorated section is evidence of a previous restoration done some years ago on the base of this pier. 

The photo above shows another section of the bridge where sections of the deck have been removed.

When the Aster Cafe starts putting out its patio furniture and umbrellas, can Spring be far behind? Fingers crossed!