Little Bay Bridge Steel to be Erected

New Hampshire Department of Transportation officials announced Monday that the structural steel for the new Little Bay Bridge will be erected this week.

According to Bill Boynton, the state agency's public information officer, the work on the Spaulding Turnpike span that connects Dover and Newington will be done from Tuesday to Thursday.

Boynton said crews will use two cranes positioned on the Phase 1 bridge deck to erect the steel girders one at a time.the second phase of this project. The steel girders are going to be placed on the four 155-foot long steel girders that DOT crews floated in during April 2012.

Boynton said the majority of the Phase 2 structural steel has already been erected from the Dover and the Newington abutments to the main channel, leaving only the main channel gap to be filled in.

He said the anticipated hours for the girder lift and installation are 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on each day this week. He said the scheduled could be pushed back if there is any adverse weather conditions or any other unforeseen situation.

Boynton also said the Coast Guard and/or New Hampshire Marine Patrol will maintain a presence in the area near the bridge project to enforce restrictions to navigation through the main channel each day during the installation of these girders.