Excavating the West Abutment

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On Monday, January 23rd work on the mainland side abutment (Pier 1) was started. Before the excavation for the abutment could begin, the detour driving lane had to be shored up. To do this, a 15-foot-long wall of steel sheet piles was driven into the ground along the south side of the detour driving lane. A mobile crane and a hydraulically powered vibrator were brought in to drive, or vibrate, the sections of the sheet piles into place. This vibrator was a smaller version of the one used to vibrate the piles in. After the steel retainer wall was in, the Pier 1 location had been partially excavated by the end of the week. 

Steel sheet piles being driven adjacent to detour lane

Steel sheet pile wall installed

Excavation of Pier 1 location with a section of the old abutment removed

< Snow Day |  Building the New Bridge | Pouring Piers 11, 12, and 13 >