NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Despite record summer temps reaching
into triple digits, workers laboring on the I-24 bridge on the Stadium side of
the downtown loop say the weather has been most cooperative.
"The humidity's been low," said Manuel Abello,
division manager with Dement Construction, the contractor hired by TDOT to
repair the bridge.
This weekend, the Department of Transportation took
members of the media on a tour of the closed bridge. The bridge has been closed
for rehabilitation seven weekends, counting this one; and will be closed for
six more to complete the project.
Abello said tents are set up on-site so workers can at
least get some shade. He said portable cooling units have also been brought in
to keep workers from getting overheated.
"We took lots of breaks," Abello said, adding that an
increase in manpower also allowed workers to work shorter stints, and to be
relieved by freshly rested co-workers.
"Everything's on schedule," said Deanna Lambert, a
spokesperson for T-DOT.
Crews are replacing the "decking," the surface of the
bridge we drive on in other words, by lifting out giant slabs and replacing
them with pre-made concrete slabs shipped in from Memphis.
