Project presenter: bridge girders set, crew aims to open bridge by early July; road rehabs planned for Center Street area

Public Works staff updated the Transportation Mobility Advisory Committee on two capital projects and traffic impacts during the March meeting.

A project presenter said crews completed drilled shafts and two abutments and have set the bridge girders; the cofferdam and riprap have been removed from the river and crews are preparing deck framing and pour operations. "We finished all of the drilled shafts. We finished the 2 abutments and we have girders in place," the presenter said, adding that the team expects visible progress in the coming weeks and aims to open the bridge by July 4.

The presenter acknowledged schedule adjustments tied to trail-structure waterproofing and a planned mural installation under the bridge, which added scope to the contract. Members raised neighborhood concerns about diverted traffic through Rivergrove and speeding on residential streets; staff recommended working with police on enforcement and offered to pass crash-rate questions to UDOT and traffic operations for analysis.

Staff also reviewed the 2026 road rehabilitation strategy: a phased mill-and-overlay focusing on Center Street and nearby collector roads, with contractors phasing work to avoid closing entire neighborhoods. The presenter said contractor proximity produced lower unit pricing this year and that notices to residents and tenants will be handled by the contractor.

Members discussed stalled private redevelopment near the bridge — a partially built apartment/parking structure whose financing is reportedly strained — and the city's limited leverage beyond redevelopment incentives and potential property resale if the developer cannot finish the project.

Staff reported a separate East Frontage Road closure for a storm tie-in and that sewer work on the project is about 70% complete on the west side; demolition and rebuilding on the east side will continue through 2026–27.

The committee did not vote on contracting or funding during the update; staff said they will return with additional schedule and enforcement data as requested.