(The following article by Ben Kieckhefer was posted on the Reno Gazette-Journal website on April 13.)
RENO, Nevada — Snow, rain and freezing temperatures slowed Reno’s downtown railroad trench project for about two months this winter, but construction officials are optimistic trains will be in the trench by Thanksgiving, despite potential delays.
An expedited work schedule that includes Saturdays and some overtime will make up for the weather-related slowdown, officials say. A late November entry into the trench would keep the project in line with the original schedule, they say.
“I think we can get there. We’re at the point now it’s structure, and most of the unknowns have been discovered,” said Ron Dukeshire, project manager for Granite Construction Co.
Still, a variety of potential problems could delay the project, he said.
Much of the work will involve pouring the concrete U-channel in which the train will run. With a quickened schedule to make up for the weather delays, producing enough concrete to meet heightened demand could be difficult, Dukeshire said.
Granite is producing much of its own concrete at a temporary plant that was set up along Fourth Street, just west of the project. Rules limiting that plant’s hours of operation to protect nearby residential areas mean there’s a limited production capacity.
Other construction projects are using much of the concrete produced at other area plants, potentially making the concrete supply a little tight, Dukeshire said.
Other potential problems include a possible shortage of skilled laborers and whether the reinforcing steel bars used to support the trench are delivered on time.
Construction has gone smoothly, with few delays and few cost overruns. Nearly 95 percent of the trench has been dug, and construction of the U-channel is moving from the west and east ends of the trench.
Eight of the bridges over the trench already have been built. Bridges over Vine and Lake streets and Evans Avenue will be completed once the trench walls are in place.
Although about a third of the concrete work is finished, much of the concrete slab that will seal the trench from ground water downtown still must be laid.
Various work will continue along the length of the 2.1-mile trench throughout the summer. Granite officials hope Union Pacific Railroad will be able to begin laying tracks in the trench by September.
Construction won’t stop there, though. Granite then will have to tear up the temporary tracks that trains have been running on during construction. Street work also must be done. The project is still on schedule for completion by spring 2006.