9 October 2016

Winter storm could test safety of Two Mile Bridge

No, up to four inches of snow won’t crack the bridge’s beams. But the 3.5 percent grades east and west of the bridge could become icy and slick if not sanded by the Flathead County Maintenance Department.

I walked the bridge Thursday (photos below), spending a few minutes discussing the project with MTDOP engineer Jim Mitchell, who was most helpful. The bridge is fully paved (seal coating comes next year), the concrete sidewalks are poured and cured enough for foot traffic. Various markers and reflectors will be installed this week, then the flagmen will disappear and driving on the road will become routine, although different.

The bypass project is nearing completion. Although I’ve been a skeptic of the project, I’ve followed the construction closely. Insofar as I can determine, best practices have been followed, the workmanship is first rate, and there’s been a minimum of disruption to local traffic.

One plus of the project is the bicycle path along the east side of the bypass. It will be accessible from Two Mile Drive, and I’m looking forward to riding it.

Vandalized panels. As reported in the InterLake, vandals used metal stakes to gouge holes in a sound wall panel on the bypass side. Mitchell said that side of the panels is made from a sound deadening material — essentially foamed concrete — that has to be applied while the panel’s surface is horizontal. Although repairs are in theory possible, they might be so expensive that replacing the panel makes more sense. The panels do block the view from the houses nearby, so perhaps the midnight chiseling brigade intended to open a window in the sound wall.

Finishing the penultimate lifts on the east side of the bridge.

Rollers on a newly deposited lift.

There's a pleasant view from the Two Mile Bridge. I made this panorama standing just west of the bridge. The bypass stretches north to the Three Mile overpass. The bicycle path can be seen to the right of the roadway and offramp on the east. Much larger image.