GAINESVILLE - The noise level is going up considerably at the site of a new bridge that is under construction on Clarks Bridge Road/Ga. 284.<br />
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Crews are beginning to drive steel pile to support the lane footings of the new bridge north of Gainesville - a noisy part of the work.<br />
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"It is a very loud operation as steel H pile is driven down to a maximum depth of 56 feet for this bridge. The pile driver strikes the pile forcing it down into the ground. Think of a massive hammer striking steel and the loud reverberating ringing noise," explained Harold Mull, Georgia DOT District Construction Engineer.<br />
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Mull added that the work will take about a week to complete. He said eighteen pile will be driven, nine on each end of the bridge. <br />
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"Once all the pile is driven, the next phase of work on the bridge is to begin setting bridge beams. If the weather cooperates with us, we expect to begin setting beams in early July." <br />
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TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION UPDATE<br />
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Meanwhile, work continues on the new pedestrian tunnel under Clarks Bridge Road near the bridge, which will connect the two sides of the rowing venue at Clarks Bridge Park. <br />
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DOT says about 80% of the concrete for the tunnel has been poured and crews should finish pouring the tunnel this week. Then, the concrete must cure for 30 days. DOT says work is on schedule and the portion of Clarks Bridge Road that is closed should reopen as planned by July 26.
