Liberty Memorial Bridge construction update

Bismarck – Liberty Memorial Bridge staging and set up continue on both the east and west banks of the Missouri River. Lunda Construction, the prime contractor, now has three large cranes on site (110 ton, 165 ton and 210 ton). Steel beams for piling are stockpiled on site and cranes are setting barge sections in the water to assemble a work platform for a crane and crew.

In addition:
• Boating restrictions are in place and are being enforced. Watch for buoys and signs. North Dakota Game and Fish is providing enforcement. Questions about enforcement, fines and penalties can be directed to Craig Bihrle, North Dakota Game and Fish 328-6317 and to the department’s chief warden.

• The interchange at the east end that is being reshaped will be open late Tuesday or early Wednesday. The last step before opening will be to re-stripe the newly remodeled lanes. Flaggers may be used to direct traffic through the intersection at that time. Look for future announcement of traffic changes to occur at the intersection on the west end of the bridge.

• The south sidewalk on the existing Liberty Memorial Bridge will be closed immediately. The north sidewalk will be closed in a few days. The Bismarck recreation trail running under the bridge along River Road between Sertoma and Pioneer Parks will remain open, but caution is advised. The actual path will move to accommodate construction. The recreation trail that runs up the hill along the retaining wall to Memorial Highway from River Road south of Memorial Bridge will be closed.

• This week and next, barges will be put in the water. Next week, a crane will be crawled out on the first barge from the dock that is now being built in the staging yard on the west side. Boaters need to be aware that new restricted areas will be established as the barge and crane go to work in the water.

• It will get noisy along the river the week of July 31 when pile driving is expected to begin. The pile driving and much of the construction activity will be on the east (Bismarck) side.
Visitor restrictions are now in place. Before visitors can gain access to the construction site on either side, they must come in the visitor entrance on the Mandan side and register at the Lunda office. Safety equipment will be issued to approved visitors and they will be accompanied on site.

The webcam is anticipated to be functional the week of July 31. The website, memorialbridge.info contains photos and updates.

For more information Contact:
Mike Kopp ND DOT Public Information Coordinator, Memorial Bridge, (701) 471-8509
Peggy Anderson NDDOT Communications, (701) 328-2671

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