Cimarron Bridge Concrete Tests Fail / Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Southern Colorado, Breaking News, News, Weather, School Closings, Traffic from KKTV 11 News

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Cimarron Bridge Concrete Tests Fail

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Posted: 9:47 AM May 12, 2008
Last Updated: 9:47 AM May 12, 2008
Reporter: Stephanie Ross
Email Address: sross@kktv11news.com

4 comments

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A Colorado Springs lab is testing the strength of the concrete on the new Cimarron Bridge. So far, it's not strong enough.

The bridge is scheduled to open Thursday, but not unless the concrete can pass a stress test Wednesday. Concrete was poured on the bridge about two weeks ago and the same mixture was also poured into cylinders. On the 7th, 12th and 14th days after the pour, those cylinders are put under pressure to see when they will crack.

Monday, the 12th day, some of the concrete cylinders cracked too early which means the bridge isn't quite ready yet.

The concrete will be tested again Wednesday. If it passes the test, the bridge will open up to traffic as scheduled Thursday.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: sue in cs Location: cs on May 14, 2008 at 10:14 AM
The contractor chose a slower reacting concrete to save money. Now they are behind and want to blame the concrete. Todays society at its best, when at fault blame someone else. If you have a deadline, buy what you need to make the deadline and don't send the blame else where. You will just hurt the reputation of a good company for no reason.

Posted by: Carrie Location: McCausland on May 13, 2008 at 02:04 PM
By saying that the concrete "failed," this story is innacurate. The concrete is simply doing what it's supposed to do - just not a quickly as the City would like. This is a high-quality mix that reaches maximum strength in no more than 21 days - as compared to the standard mix that reaches maximum strength in 28 days. Rather than wait the full 21 days the City also has the option to perform strength testing to see if the concrete meets strenth requirements in advance of that date. In order to open sooner, that is what the City is doing. Carrie McCausland City of Colorado Springs Public Communications

Posted by: Mark Location: C/S on May 13, 2008 at 08:34 AM
Doesn't concrete come in different mixtures; can't it be ordered to meet or exceed a specific requirement? I would hate to think that the contractor took the cheap route and tried to save money by ordered an inferior mix of concrete to increase the profit margin. Reports like this are becoming the norm, what about the inspection role in all of this? Were there inspectors on site while the pours where done? If we can have the police hiding behind trees with speed traps (all for public safety), can't we have an unbiased neutral party perform inspections as the work is progressing? I don't think that is too much to ask and expect, in the name of public safety also. Just my opinion......

Posted by: Inspector Gadget Location: C/S on May 12, 2008 at 05:40 PM
Don't pay the contractor if they can't produce a quality product.

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