“Time lost in the river was gained elsewhere, so overall, it was just a change in direction,” said Jenny Hoskins, resident construction engineer for the DOT who is based out of Jefferson.

The project did experience minor delays due to the Des Moines River flooding in June. While there was no damage to the project itself, the contractor’s temporary bridge did have some minor damage due to the pressure of the water and a debris pile that gathered upstream.

“I think it’s fair to say that this was a hiccup that led to a change in plans and a shift in direction,” said Hoskins. “United Contractors have been committed to moving the project forward despite these sorts of complications. They continue to have a robust workforce on-site daily and are managing and coordinating the work efficiently.”

Hoskins said that while the Des Moines River was flooded, United Contractors shifted its workforce to the bridge over the Canadian National Railway tracks, which accelerated the progress on that part of the project.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
The deck pour for the westbound lanes of the Kenyon Road Bridge should happen in late October or early November. The bridge should reopen a couple of months after that.

Currently, United Contractors has been restoring the temporary river bridge and cleaning up flooding debris. Hoskins said a subcontractor returned to complete the last remaining foundation last week.

On July 26, United Contractors also completed the bridge deck, which is the driving surface, for the bridge over the railroad tracks. With this deck complete, the company will begin several smaller tasks remaining to complete the bridge.

“Crews have begun working on the two piers with completed foundations to prepare them to pour the concrete for columns that will support the new bridge deck,” said Hoskins. “This involves building and setting forms and placing the reinforcing steel.”

In the next two weeks, reinforcement and formwork will begin to be set into place.

According to Hoskins, the project is moving along steadily and is on track.

“Weather pending, we are hopeful that they will be ready for a deck pour for the river bridge in late October to early November,” said Hoskins. “There will be a couple of months once the deck is complete to finish the bridge rails, sidewalks, and roadway before we can reopen the new bridges and roadway.”

Hoskins says there will be construction work that continues into 2025 to complete the project and restore the areas disturbed by construction activities.

The Kenyon Road Bridge project began in November 2023. United Contractors, of Johnston, has a $15.2 million contract from the state to dismantle and replace the westbound bridges.