MONROE - Drivers tired of circumnavigating the bridge construction on Wisconsin 69 might have to wait a few more days for a more direct route to Monticello from the south.
Construction on the Bergy Creek bridge between Monticello and Monroe, which started June 29, was to be completed Friday. There is a possibility the completion of the work might not happen until as late as Tuesday, however, said Ken Plowman, engineer and inspector with Fehr-Graham & Associates.
The dates on the signs posted along Wis. 69 in Monticello to the north of the bridge and on the way to Monroe to the south, might not change, but the signs won't be removed until the construction is complete, Plowman said.
"If they still see the signs, it's not open," he said.
There were no significant delays caused by weather or production problems, but a one-week delay to the start of construction came about due to paperwork processing, Plowman said.
The construction schedule was tight from the onset, but it was, and still is, possible to get the bridge finished on time, he said.
"Everything went pretty smoothly," Plowman said.
On Thursday, construction contractors will finish paving the bridge following grading Wednesday. If the work takes place smoothly, road markings will be painted on the bridge and guard rail will be completed Friday, allowing the bridge to be ready for traffic Friday night.
About eight contractors were hired by the state Department of Transportation to complete the $500,000 project, Plowman said.
The cost is normal for a bridge reconstruction of this size, he said. In fact, the price tag was just under estimate, Plowman added.
The Bergy Creek bridge was built in 1959, County Highway Commissioner Dallas Cecil said.
Replacing the bridge was not due to a major structural deficiency, he said. After 50 years of travel, it simply was time to replace the span of road, he said.
"It was a worn out bridge," Cecil said.
Construction on the Bergy Creek bridge between Monticello and Monroe, which started June 29, was to be completed Friday. There is a possibility the completion of the work might not happen until as late as Tuesday, however, said Ken Plowman, engineer and inspector with Fehr-Graham & Associates.
The dates on the signs posted along Wis. 69 in Monticello to the north of the bridge and on the way to Monroe to the south, might not change, but the signs won't be removed until the construction is complete, Plowman said.
"If they still see the signs, it's not open," he said.
There were no significant delays caused by weather or production problems, but a one-week delay to the start of construction came about due to paperwork processing, Plowman said.
The construction schedule was tight from the onset, but it was, and still is, possible to get the bridge finished on time, he said.
"Everything went pretty smoothly," Plowman said.
On Thursday, construction contractors will finish paving the bridge following grading Wednesday. If the work takes place smoothly, road markings will be painted on the bridge and guard rail will be completed Friday, allowing the bridge to be ready for traffic Friday night.
About eight contractors were hired by the state Department of Transportation to complete the $500,000 project, Plowman said.
The cost is normal for a bridge reconstruction of this size, he said. In fact, the price tag was just under estimate, Plowman added.
The Bergy Creek bridge was built in 1959, County Highway Commissioner Dallas Cecil said.
Replacing the bridge was not due to a major structural deficiency, he said. After 50 years of travel, it simply was time to replace the span of road, he said.
"It was a worn out bridge," Cecil said.