More 520 pontoons under construction in Aberdeen
Published 8:22 pm Thursday, September 27, 2012
SEATTLE — The state Department of Transportation says the next pontoons for the new Highway 520 floating bridge are under construction in Aberdeen.
Officials said this batch will include improved construction methods to avoid chipped concrete and cracking.
The last set of pontoons had to be repaired by crews before being shipped to Lake Washington. Officials say crew fixed the chipped concrete — called spalling — by adding reinforcing steel. Crews filled the cracks at the pontoon end walls by injecting epoxy.
DOT 520 program director Julie Meredith said the department is confident that repaired pontoons are structurally sound.
A total of 33 pontoons will be built under a $367 million contract.
