If you're one of those drivers who travels east to west or west to east on a daily basis, there's a good chance you've taken I-480's Valley View Bridge at some point.
With the two bridges now more than 40 years old, it's time for some replacement work.
We've seen work being done to increase the fence height by 3 feet. It's just the beginning of a huge ODOT project designed to keep traffic flowing.
In order to maintain the four lanes in each direction, ODOT has gotten little creative and will build a new bridge in between the existing bridges.
The equipment to make that possible has already moved into place, featuring cranes and piping to help build that new bridge right down the middle.
The good news for drivers is that they won't have to worry about construction getting in the way this year, most of the work is being done underneath the current bridges.
Come next year, it'll be a different story. In 2019, traffic will be shifted to the outsides of the two existing bridges to make way for a gantry system that will help construct the new bridge in the middle.
According to ODOT's timetable, in spring 2021, all traffic on the eastbound Valley View bridge will be shifted onto the new bridge as crews work to replace that bridge deck. Eastbound motorists will still be able to exit at Transportation Blvd. in this configuration. In spring 2022, all traffic on the westbound Valley View bridge will be shifted onto the new bridge as crews work to replace that bridge deck. Westbound motorists will be able to access I-77 north or southbound in this configuration.
The entire project is slated to wrap up in 2024 at a total cost of $227 million dollars.