The work is part of a US$162 million project covering construction of the new bridge and repair of the existing historic bridge. Ames was already working on the project and the latest package covers completion of the new bridge and construction of the approach road.
Ames is the construction manager/general contractor (CMGC) on the project. It is MnDOT’s first CMGC project and was chosen to enable the contractor to provide feedback during the design phase before the start of construction. In the CMGC bid process, an independent cost estimator separately estimates the costs for different parts of the construction. The CMGC’s bid must be within 10% of the independent cost estimator in order to be accepted.
Construction has been progressing this winter as crews build the new bridge river piers. During the 2015 construction season the new bridge will continue to rise. In the autumn, concrete segmental and approach span bridge construction is expected to begin.
The new bridge is due to open for traffic in 2016. The overall project began in July 2014 and is scheduled to be completed by spring 2020.
