I-85 bridge construction update: The beams have arrived

Since a fire led to the collapse of a segment of I-85 in Buckhead March 30, the Georgia Department of Transportation has scrambled to reopen the vital stretch of highway into the heart of Atlanta. Here’s the latest construction update on a project that affects hundreds of thousands of commuters.

IN-DEPTH: Who’s to blame for Atlanta bridge collapse?

The work: Contractor C.W. Matthews is rebuilding 350 feet of northbound and 350 feet of southbound lanes on I-85. GDOT has set a target completion date of June 15, but has provided financial incentives for the company to finish by May 21 or May 25.

President Trump authorized the federal government to released $10 million shortly after the collapse to get repairs going quickly.

What's done: The contractor completed demolition of the old bridge and began building a new one within a few days of its collapse. One of the first steps was shoring up the existing 13 bridge columns; that work was completed last week.

What's the latest: GDOT Construction Director Marc Mastronardi said 20 of the 61 beams needed to support the bridge deck should be in place by Monday night.

What's next: The remaining bridge beams should be delivered by early next week. Mastronardi said GDOT's target completion date of June 15 remains "very achievable."

About the Author