August 2025
Throughout August, crews have continued advancing structural and roadway work. Crews tied rebar and installed forms for the north backwall of Abutment #1, as well as for the connecting pours over the piers. Concrete placement progressed steadily, with closure pours completed between several spans, including PBUs 10 through 13, and concrete successfully set between PBUs 14 through 18. The backwall of Abutment #1 on the south side was also finished, with rebar tied, forms completed, and concrete successfully placed.
Crews also addressed several follow-up tasks, including repairing existing conduit damaged during earlier pier demolition, rubbing debris from the pier shafts, and removing shielding from the underside of PBUs 1 through 9 before installing shielding beneath PBUs 10 through 18. At Abutment #2, welding of the bearing sole plates to the beams commenced, with magnetic particle nondestructive testing (NDT) confirming the welds were executed according to proper practices. With all PBUs set across the bridge, the large red crane was removed from the project site.
In parallel, utility and roadway operations progressed. Crews buried conduit beneath Whitten Road, installed light bases at the Whitten Road/Turnpike Mall intersection, and set bases for future crosswalk lights along Western Avenue. Crews advanced roadway approach work by cutting subgrade for the new sidewalks along Whitten Road and Western Avenue, while continuing granite curb removal.
July 2025
Throughout July, crews continued tying rebar and forming the backwall of Abutment #1, while crews advanced construction efforts with the placement of multiple precast bridge units (PBUs). Using nighttime lane closures, crews successfully set the final nine PBUs over I-95, with all diaphragms bolted and torqued. Forms were also installed on PBUs 13 through 18, and zipper strip placements between PBUs progressed, with concrete placed for several spans. Shielding, rebar installation, and formwork for zipper closures were also completed to prepare the bridge deck for continued work.
At the south pier, crews placed concrete for pedestals, drilled, ground, and installed bearings, and completed grouting on the western half of the pier cap. By late July, the final bearings were installed, remaining pier forms were stripped, the last sheet pile was removed, and equipment was demobilized from the median.
Traffic control and off-road construction also advanced. Crews carried out multiple operations, including placing crushed stone behind Abutment #2, removing pavement at the Western Avenue and Whitten Road intersection, and beginning excavation and curb removal for new sidewalks along the roadway approaches.
By month’s end, all remaining PBUs were delivered on-site and prepared for zipper closure placements, concrete work was completed between the first several units, and progress on abutment backwalls and roadway approaches positioned the project for the next phase.
May 2025
Throughout May, crews continued ongoing demolition of Abutment #1 and began demolition of Pier 2 at night. Crews made progress towards the construction of the new bridge with installing forms and re-steel for the Abutment #2 bridge seats and wingwall. Crews also began preparing for pier construction.
Traffic control efforts included shimming the ends of the temporary bridge with hot mix asphalt and implementing the I-95 shoulder closure.
Off site in Woolwich, crews cured the Phase 2 pre cast bridge units (PBUs) and stripped the forms, moved and stored the PBUs when design strength was achieved. Crews also set up Phase 3 PBUs, received the structural steel for Span 2 and set structural steel for Phase 3 PBUs.
April 2025
Throughout April, crews continued ongoing demolition of the existing bridge structure by removing Abutment #1 and performing demolition of Pier 2 at night. Crews made progress towards the construction of the new bridge such as installing forms and rebar for the Abutment #1 bridge seats and placed concrete and began installing staging to facilitate work on the Abutment #2 bridge seats.
Traffic control efforts included adjusting traffic control devices, fixing potholes, grading shoulders for traffic maintenance, installing signs and began work on the temporary lighting. Efforts also included re-striping faded marking lines throughout the project and installing the lane shift on I-95 northbound and installing concrete barriers.
Off site in Woolwich, crews continued to install forms and re-steel and place concrete for precast bridge units (PBUs) for Phase 2.
March 2025
Throughout March, crews continued ongoing demolition of the existing bridge structure such as saw cutting and removal of slabs and beams and the initiation of night work over I-95. Work advanced on Abutment #1, with formwork and reinforcing steel installation for the bridge seats and southeast wingwall, followed by concrete placement in those areas. Crews also began mobilizing cranes for demolition activities at both abutments and installed sheet piles for temporary structural support at the northeast wing.
Traffic control efforts included adjusting existing devices, paving temporary sidewalks, installing detectable warning fields and signage, and advancing temporary lighting installations. Additionally, lane shift preparations began on I-95 northbound to accommodate pier demolition and construction.
Off-site in Woolwich, Phase 1 precast bridge units (PBUs) were disassembled and moved into storage, while Phase 2 PBUs began setup. Crews worked on connecting diaphragms and verifying torque on structural bolts.
February 2025
Throughout February, crews made significant progress on the Western Avenue Bridge Project in Augusta, advancing work on the temporary bridge, existing bridge demolition, traffic control measures, and precast bridge unit (PBU) construction.
Bridge work focused on installing the timber curb on the temporary bridge, placing concrete barriers, and improving temporary pedestrian access. Crews also worked on installing new roadway striping and removing existing markings as part of the ongoing traffic realignment. Meanwhile, demolition of the existing bridge continued, with saw-cutting and slab removal progressing as scheduled.
Traffic control efforts included adding and adjusting traffic control devices and signage to support detours, realigning lanes on Western Avenue and Whitten Road, and modifying traffic control setups as needed to ensure safe and efficient vehicle flow.
Offsite in Woolwich, crews continued work on the precast bridge units. Progress included assembling deck forms for the PBUs, placing the final two PBU units for Phase 1, and completing the curing process for three previously placed units. Work will continue in March, with crews focusing on the next phases of bridge construction, demolition, and traffic management to maintain project momentum.
January 2025
Throughout January, crews worked to construct the temporary bridge and its approaches, install timber curbs, concrete barriers, and pedestrian access, and prepare for its opening from January 26-28. Shielding was added to the existing bridge, which is being prepped for demolition, while work continued on abutment forms and saw cutting. On Western Avenue, crews paved islands, installed temporary traffic signals, and relocated lighting, including removing existing signal mast arms. Traffic control measures were put in place for detours, the Whitten Road Connector, and temporary striping.
November / December 2024
Throughout November and December, crews have been diligently advancing key aspects of the bridge project to ensure safety and maintain traffic flow during construction.
Bridge Work
Crews are focusing on the construction of the temporary bridge, including work on the pile bents and approaches for the detour. Traffic control devices and signage are being installed to guide motorists safely. Formwork and re-steel for Abutment #2’s stem section are underway, with night crews installing beams and concrete slabs for the temporary bridge.
New Exit 109 On-Ramp
Significant progress is being made on the new ramp, with crews installing electrical and fiber conduits, junction boxes, and new light bases. The newly energized lights along the ramp will enhance visibility and safety for drivers.
Western Avenue Roadway Work
As part of Phase 2, the islands on Western Avenue and Whitten Road are being removed per project plans, with paving operations scheduled in these areas.
Traffic Control
Traffic control remains a priority, with new devices and signage installed to support detours, including on the Whitten Road Connector. Temporary traffic signals are being set up, and Exit 109B will be closed on Sunday, December 15, 2024. Drivers will be detoured via Exit 109A during the closure.
September 2024
At the Western Avenue Bridge in Augusta, work progressed steadily at both abutments and on the temporary bridge. Crews focused on abutment #2, conducting structural excavation and cleaning the ledge at the north footing section while installing temporary structural support. At abutment #1, forms and reinforcement (re-steel) were installed for the north stem and wingwall section. Concurrently, work continued on the construction of the temporary bridge.
By the end of the month, additional tasks included placing concrete for the abutment #1 expansion and stripping the cured sections. Efforts also advanced on the temporary bridge, with concrete placed in the bridge beds and traffic control devices and signage installed. Structural support continued at abutment #2's northwest wing, while drainage installation occurred on Whitten Road Connector. On I-95 southbound, pavement markings were ground off, and lane shift striping was completed during a nighttime operation.
July 2024
Throughout the month of July, crews worked on structural rock excavation at abutment 1, and cleaning off ledge at the abutment 1 footing. Footing forms and re-steel were installed .at abutment 1. Concrete was placed in the north footing section of abutment 1. Crews worked on the temporary bridge. Crews stripped forms for abutment 2 and the south wingwall.
June 2024
Throughout the month of June, crews from the department worked on excavating to structural rock, cleaning ledge, and the installation of footing forms at abutment 1. Concrete was placed for abutment 1, while forms were stripped from abutment 2.
May 2024
Throughout the month of May crews have worked on the Augusta Western Ave Bridge project with structural rock excavation and clearing ledge at abutment 2 footing. Footing forms were installed at abutment 2 and concrete placed. Crews excavated to structural rock for the abutment 1 north wingwall, along with working on temporary footings for the temporary bridge. The project is scheduled for completion in 2026. The contractor for this project is Reed & Reed, and the contract amount is $30 million.
April 2024
Throughout April, crews worked on bridge abutments, with work at abutment 1 consisting of clearing ledge, earth excavation, footing form installation, and structural steel installation. Work at abutment 2 saw earth and rock excavation.
March 2024
Work for the month of March included cleaning off the existing ledge at abutment 1. Crews have been continuing structural earth excavation at abutment 1, along with installing footing forms with reinforcing steel. Structural rock and earth excavation at abutment 2.
February 2024
Crews at the Augusta Western Ave site continued their work through February with structural earth excavation and bedrock removal at abutment 1. A crane was mobilized. Forms were built for abutment 1 in laydown yard. Workers continued excavation of structural earth excavation at abutment 2.
