July 05, 2024

Bridge over Interstate 80 closing April 4

By Jamee A

Work will begin on the East Fifth Street South bridge crossing Interstate 80 on April 4. The bridge will be closed approximately a month and a half during construction with a completion date projected for mid-May. (Jamee A)

A bridge deck overlay project will close the East Fifth Street South bridge over Interstate 80 in Newton starting April 4. The work is scheduled to be finished in mid-May and reopened to traffic at that time.

“A bridge deck overlay consists of the removal of approx. A quarter inch of the bridge deck (driving surface) and the placement of 1 3/4 inch of new concrete to restore the driving surface condition,” Department of Transportation Construction Engineer Mark Dunn said. “It usually also includes some spot repairs that go deeper, as needed. This particular project also includes some other minor concrete repairs, bridge drain repairs and the replacement of the guardrail.”

During construction, traffic will be detoured around the closure using South 44th Avenue East, East 12th Street South and South 13th Avenue East. Dunn said that the construction should not affect interstate driving lanes except for a brief shoulder closure under the bridge for concrete repair on of the piers.

“If we have any spots where full-depth repairs are needed in the bridge deck, we will need to close a lane on I-80 if it is over the roadway. That will not be fully known until the contractor begins removals,” Dunn said. “Any lane closures affecting I-80 will be done at night only.”

In Jasper County, the DOT is continuing the outside shoulder project between Colfax and Altoona. Dunn said there is major work to be completed in the eastbound lanes and a few a few minor areas to finish on the westbound lanes. Work will begin April 3 on that project.

The DOT will also be doing a bridge deck joint repair on the interstate over Rock Creek, three miles east of Highway 224 near Kellogg. Two lanes will remain open during the daytime hours. During one stage, a lane closure will be required, which will only be done at night. A start date has not yet been determined on the project.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at
641-792-3121 ext. 6534
or jpierson@newtondailynews.com