A project that started in April is anticipated to be completed ahead of schedule.

Iowa Department of Transportation Construction Technician Supervisor Dennis Ward says the Highway 30 overpass bridge near Grand Junction may be open to traffic by the end of October. The contractor, Godbersen-Smith Construction, will be pouring the bridge deck in late September or early October. Ward says the bridge will be widened to 44-feet, with 22-feet per lane. An additional 10-feet will be added for shoulders on either side of the lanes. The old bridge was 28-feet wide.

Once the deck is poured, Ward adds that the contractor will then install barrier rails and bridge approaches. The barrier rails have to be specially made, Ward says, because it will have features of the Lincoln Highway Association in the concrete mold casts.

Ward points out that once the bridge is open to traffic, the county road below the bridge will remain closed for another month while crews make any necessary repairs. The project also entails replacing the bridge over West Beaver Creek with a box culvert.

Both bridges have been closed since April 25th. The cost of the projects is over $7 million.