ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, June 4, 1996 TAG: 9606040080
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: KIPTOPEKE
With a giant pile driver leading the way, a new parallel span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is inching its way across the bay's mouth.
Winter weather slowed the $250million-to-$300million bridge portion of the project, but it's back on track, said Ted Kirk, project manager for PHI, the joint venture company building the span. New tunnels aren't part of the project.
``I think the feeling here is pretty optimistic. We're starting to see the major work break loose now,'' Kirk said.
That involves the precasting of 100-foot concrete sections that will be floated out to trestles anchored to the bottom, hoisted by giant cranes and tied together three abreast.
A mere 900 feet of the 20-mile structure was in place last week, leaning southward from Fisherman's Island. But motorists passing on the existing bridge to the east can see it begin to take shape.
PHI was hoping to complete the project in three years. Even after winter setbacks, Kirk said, the company still expects to finish 10 months early - in late 1997.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 32 linesby CNB