July 31, 2008
The permanent railroad tracks have been removed, allowing for excavation where the bridge will be built. Trains are now running on temporary runaround tracks.
Good progress is being made on the construction of the retaining wall south of the tracks.
Work on the storm sewer continues north of the tracks.
A subcontractor installs one of 57 vertical piers which will be part of the foundation for the west retaining wall south of the railroad tracks.
Additional open cutting continues for the storm sewer south of the railroad tracks.
Like much of southeastern Michigan, the project site has often looked like this following the recent heavy storms
Having received permission from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department to complete the new water main in May, contractors work to connect it to the old main.
Having overcome the excessive underground water in the area near the existing railroad tracks, boring and open cut for the placement of casings has been completed on the south.
The contractor has pushed 36 inch pipes through the casing on the south bore.
The gate valve has been installed and connected to a 36 inch water main pipe.
Open cut and laying of pipe for the 36 inch water main continues south of the railroad tracks. Multiple wells have been installed around the bore pit to drain water from underground.
Additional wells approximately 35 feet deep have been installed along the existing railroad tracks. These wells became necessary as flowing water deep underground in a vein of sand was encountered when the south bore was begun a couple weeks ago. It is believed that an old streambed running essentially parallel to the railroad tracks deep underground is the source of the flowing water which has prevented further boring until sufficient de-watering takes place.
In addition to sand and flowing water, the underground environment under the tracks includes layers of cobblestone and an occasional boulder like this which makes boring difficult.
03.14.2008
A worker from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) disinfects pipes for the new 36 inch water main.
A 20 foot section of 36 inch pipe for the new water main is lowered into the bore pit north of the railroad tracks.
Workers prepare a section of pipe to be pushed into place inside the casing in the bore underneath M-14.
03.01.2008
“Jack and Bore” work is being done by one of the subcontractors. A horizontal hole is being bored through the ground, with casings pushed through the hole. The new 36 inch water main will then be pushed through the casings by another subcontractor.
02.15.2008
Mass excavation of soil on both sides of the existing railroad track has taken place. As a result of the high amount of precipitation in the form of snow and rain so far in 2008, as well as hitting the watertable, pumps are in operation 24/7 to keep the site dry enough to facilitate work to install both the new 36 inch water main and storm sewer.
02.02.2008
Temporary railroad tracks are being installed on an embankment which has been built. When the bypass tracks are completed, the existing railroad tracks can be removed preliminary to construction of the new bridge structure over the Sheldon underpass.
