Construction Continues

Teichert Construction continues construction of the Vasco Rd Safety Improvements Project into the 2011 winter season. Stage 1 Improvements (widening of the Brushy Creek Bridge and construction of 6 retaining walls) were completed during the summer 2010. Construction of Stage 2 improvements began in early 2011, consisting of storm drain and wildlife crossing installation and architectural finishing of the retaining walls. Construction activity has been limited to the recent weather, however Teichert Construction continues to make steady progress. The architectural concrete finish (fractured fin) for portions of the southern project limit retaining walls were recently completed in late February 2011 with the remaining walls at the northern limit to be completed by June. As drier spring weather approaches, it is anticipated that significant construction progress can resume. The remaining portions of Stage 2 (grading and paving) will start in early Spring 2011 with Stage 3 improvements (consisting of median barrier and wildlife fencing installation, grading, and paving) scheduled to start in June 2011. Pending weather delays, the project is anticipated to be completed by December 2011.

Stage 2: Working Through Wet Weather

Teichert Construction continues to proceed with Stage 2 improvements during the recent wet weather. The majority of the construction operations consist of installing storm drain along the roadway in conjunction with wildlife crossings. The wet weather limits the ability for construction equipment to access grading areas near the retaining walls. Prolonged days of thick fog has also limited Teichert Construction's ability to implement lane closures for installation of storm drains across Vasco Rd. As spring approaches, Stage 2 roadwork will commence upon completion of storm drain operations.

In early February, Teichert Construction performed remedial slide repair work at Wall 4 North. This repair operation consisted of excavating a hillside to remove a recently discover slide plane, installing a keyway, and regrading the slope to accommodate the future lane widening.

Excavated storm drain trench at Wall 6.



Forming a storm drain inlet around the recently installed storm drains at Wall 6.



After the recent rains, a weep hole drains subsurface water collected behind Soil Nail Wall 7.

Cast In Place Facing Walls

Teichert Construction has completed portions of the Cast in Place (CIP) facing walls that will ultimately provide the architectural facing along all the retaining walls on Vasco Rd. Upon completion of the soil nail installation and shotcrete facing walls, a CIP wall is then installed to create the final wall face and grades along the future road shoulder widening. A concrete barrier will be installed at the bottom of the wall, to "mirror" the future median barrier.

Wall 2 CIP facing wall forms.

Wall 2 CIP forms and steel reinforcement.

CIP facing wall and exposed shotcrete, geocomposite drains, and soil nails at Wall 2.

"Fractured Fin" Finish at Wall 2.

Concrete Wall 1

Teichert Construction completed the foundation for Concrete Wall 1 in November. This relatively small retaining wall is designed to support the the southbound Vasco Rd embankment at the southern limit.

Initial grading at Wall 1.

Extension of reinforcing steel up from Wall 1 footing.

Wall 1 footing.

Completion of Soil Nails

By mid November, Teichert Construction completed installation of all the soil nails associated with Walls 4, 6, and 7. Over 900 nails were installed in the hillside to secure the slopes to the recently formed shotcrete walls. Nail lengths varied from 15 ft to 60 ft deep into the hillside. A fractured fin texture will become the final finish when the cast in place facing walls are poured next.

Completed soil nails at Wall 6.

Brushy Creek Banks Complete

At the end of October, Teichert Construction completed backfilling operations around the new Brushy Creek bridge abutments. In conjunction with the final earthwork operations, rock slope protection (RSP) was relocated to shape the banks around the abutments to protect the final slopes from erosion.

Looking upstream along Brushy Creek.

Bedrock Removal at the Retaining Walls

Teichert Construction has been excavating portions of the hillside to construct Soil Nail Walls 4,6, and 7. Various soil strata are encountered, including significant concretions of cemented sandstone. Construction equipment such as dozers and excavators complete the majority of retaining wall excavation. On occasion, hydraulic breakers are required to crack the hard sandstone rock prior to it's actual removal.

A hydraulic breaker attached to a backhoe prepares to hammering into a sandstone concretion at Soil Nail Wall 6/7.

The completed breaking operation.

Bridge Falsework Removal

Within the last few weeks, Teichert Construction removed the falsework supporting the recently constructed Brushy Creek bridge. Falsework removal operations consists of safely removing the supporting beams and clamps used to support the wood bridge forms. Cranes and lift equipment slowly secure and pull out the steel beams while the wood forms are stripped from the bottom of the bridge structure. Upon completion of this operation, Teichert Construction will complete the finish grading beneath the bridge and remove the water control system.

Teichert Construction workers begin securing the steel beams supporting the wood forms.

Teichert Construction finishing the final grades at the bridge abutments.

As the falsework beams are removed, the wood forms are stripped away and the concrete finish at the bottom of the bridge is finally exposed.

EXPECT DELAYS: 10/26 to 10/28

Teichert Construction will be implementing 1 lane traffic control on Tuesday, 10/26 to Thursday, 10/28 from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.

EXPECT DELAYS: 10/11 to 10/13, 8:30 am to 3:00 pm

Teichert Construction will be implementing 1 lane traffic control on Monday, 10/11 to Wednesday, 10/13, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. This is operation is necessary to safety off haul soil excavation material at the northern project limit (Soil Nail Wall 6/7). Commuters are advised to expect 30 minute delays and take alternate routes during the off peak commute hours.

Southward view of the project site from Soil Nail Wall 6 (completed Brushy Creek bridge widening in the distance).