Construction workers have begun pouring concrete for the first of five bridge abutments on the I-35W bridge project in Minneapolis.
Even with the above-normal temperatures on Monday, workers are using cold-weather construction methods. Minnesota Department of Transportation spokesman Kevin Gutknecht says that after state inspectors test the concrete to ensure the formula is correct, it is poured, covered with thermal plastic blankets and kept warm for proper curing.
"The concrete is tested to make sure it's the right mix for this particular purpose," Gutknecht says. "There's a great deal of science into pouring concrete, actually, so there's a lot of quality control on this."
Gutknecht says the $234 million project is on schedule, with the opening set for December 24, 2008.