Lane closures planned as bridge work continues

By Anniston Army Depot Public AffairsOctober 18, 2018

Lane closures planned as bridge work continues
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Placement of girders for the new bridge being constructed at Anniston Army Depot's main gate will begin in November.

The construction work will cause one lane of the existing bridge to be closed most of the day, though plans are to keep both lanes open during high traffic times in the morning, at lunch and at the end of the work day.

An evaluation in 2016 of the load capacity for the bridge, which was constructed in 1941, determined the bridge had a weight limit of 13 to 27 tons, depending upon the configuration of the vehicle.

The load determination for the bridge came as a result of a bi-annual bridge audit, which recommended all bridges receive posted load limits.

The Army Corps of Engineers is coordinating the project, which will meet Alabama Department of Transportation specifications for heavy traffic.

Relocation of a gas line was completed in March, followed by the movement of communication infrastructure in August.

The new bridge, which is being constructed approximately 10 feet to the west of the existing bridge, is now taking shape, with completion of the abutments in late September.

The expected completion date for the bridge is the summer of 2019.

A traffic shift is anticipated near the end of construction to enable paving of the new segment of road.