Holcim/Dundee Cement

(Satellite)

Street View, Oct 2022

Viv Rivera posted the comment: "Is there anything about the two silos that are there by calumet fisheries? I’d like to tell my kids more about them thanks in advance!"

Steve Malachinski: The silos belonged to a cement company. They received cement by railcar and transferred it into trucks.

[Several comments identified it as the Dundee Cement Company.]

Brian McCafferty: Believe Holcim/Skyway Cement (plant on 103rd Calumet River, west bank) recently owned them. Not sure if they still do.

Dennis DeBruler commented on Brian's comment
 Evidently Holcim does currently own it. That blue truck scale was added since I was last there.  wonder if they receive cement via lake freighter and/or barges because the rail service doesn't look intact. https://maps.app.goo.gl/SKXP5RxGHzbspRSo8

Dennis DeBruler commented on Brian's comment
An Oct 2022 street view caught a truck on that scale https://maps.app.goo.gl/nXVwmnxxGMVbvn6n9 According to other street views, the weeds were cleaned up and the scale added between Jul 2019 and Nov 2021.

1816+1922,1996 Memorial Bridge over Connecticut River at Springfield, CT

(Archived Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; HAER; Satellite)

HAER MASS,7-SPRIF,7-
3. General view from west river bank, looking southeast - Hampden County Memorial Bridge, Spanning Connecticut River on Memorial Drive, Springfield, Hampden County, MA Photos from Survey HAER MA-114

"Significance: The Hampden County Memorial Bridge's main span is the longest concrete deck arch span in Massachusetts. The bridge is a finely-engineered example of a rare self-supporting arch rib reinforcement technique, derived from the Melan tradition. Once encased in concrete, the steel arch reinforcing truss acts as a partner with the concrete in bearing the dead load of the structure. Although the deck is supported on spandrel columns, they are concealed behind a fascia spandrel wall, conveying the Impression of a solid structure. The consulting architects, Haven & Hoyt, embellished the structure with artificial stone, notably in the four pylons of the main channel span." [HAER_data]

enr (pay count), Photo by John Phelan, License: Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY)

Photo by Doug Kerr via BridgeHunter

 

Kevin Lagasse posted
The Memorial Bridge over the Connecticut River looking north-ish. From the Springfield, MA side this past winter.

StructureMag
Hampden County Memorial Bridge looking west from Springfield, August 1922. Springfield viaduct in the foreground. 1816 covered wooden toll bridge upstream, in the process of deconstruction. A segment of railroad bridge is visible beyond. Courtesy of the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History.
"The Connecticut’s soft riverbed precluded solid concrete and masonry structures, and exposed steel arches were deemed unpleasing....The bridge, designed in the Beaux-Arts style, boasted seven parabolic concreted rib arches on six piers and two abutments that spanned 1,200 feet [366m] across the river. A nine-span viaduct of 314 feet [96m] over railroad tracks on the Springfield (east) side formed the Springfield approach."

This shows the arched steel trusses that will be encased in concrete. And this is another example of how a derrick holding a pipe was used to place concrete.

HAER_data, p13

StructureMag
"Bridge construction. Concrete hoisting tower (130 feet) shown. Concrete was transported from mixing plant on West Springfield side along a temporary wood trestle 70 feet upstream. Courtesy of the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History."
[This article describes the Melan system of using steel arches inside concrete.]

The Melan system significantly reduced the falsework because an arch truss was prefabricated as four segments, and then the truss could hold the forms for the concrete.

StructureMag
Arch erection in span 7, Springfield side. Courtesy of the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History.
"A total of 10,500 pine piles, 20 to 40 feet in height and spaced 20 feet on center on hard clay, form the foundation for six river piers and two abutments....The arch span lengths vary from 110 to 209 feet; the span rises from 19.1 to 29.7 feet. Marked by four 80-foot beacon towers, the channel span is 176 feet in width and 40 feet above low water over 60 feet."
'The Melan system fell out of favor in part as steel became more expensive and less available. More so, a better understanding of cement and concrete technologies, composite behavior, and the development of uniform codes and construction methods moved structures towards more efficient and economical bar reinforcement. The system experienced a rebirth in the 1970s which continues in Japan and China, where self-supporting arches are used to construct bridge spans in mountainous regions.'

Three of the five arches are concentrated in the center to support the streetcar load. [StructureMag]

HAER MASS,7-SPRIF,7-
7. View from under deck of west span, showing floor system, looking east

The four ornamental pylons are navigation beacons.

Street View, Oct 2023

enr (pay count), Photo by Matt Putzel, License: Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY)
"A Midwest-style tornado struck the city in June 2011.  The tornado was one of the most powerful storms of its type to strike Massachusetts.  The Commonwealth does get hit by a few twisters annually, but typically they are weaker and short-lived storms.   This tornado's storm path was 37 miles long, touching down in Westfield and raking towns and forests to the east all the way to Sturbridge.  In Springfield, the damage path crossed a swath of the downtown, damaging or destroying hundreds of structures....Although much of Springfield was later pummeled, the bridge, itself, was not damaged.  A truck overturned in the wind, which was the extent of major impacts." It was an EF3 tornado.

Flickr1, Flickr2

1948 US-31 Drawbridge over Round Lake Channel in Charlevoix, MI

Bridge: (Bridge Hunter broke Mar 22, 2023; Historic Bridges; Satellite, 115 photos)

US Coast Guard: (Satellite)

Five bridges proceeded this one.

VisitCharlevoix
"The drawbridge is an iconic part of downtown Charlevoix. The drawbridge will open on the hour and half hour for larger watercraft. Watching the drawbridge go up and down is a highlight for visitors."

This bridge caught my eye because the leaves are almost square. Typically, they are longer than they are wide.

The width is 44' (13.4m) and the length is 111' (33.8m)/2 or 55.5' (16.9m). The total length of the bridge is 222.8' (67.9m). [HistoricBridges]

Tony Bidigare posted

Li Zhang, Sep 2019

Chris F, Jul 2023

When I was studying that Round Lake connects to the much larger Lake Charlevoix, I noticed that this is the only bridge in town. If this bridge was closed, the trip from one side of town to the other would be rather long because the crossing at Ironton is just a ferry.

Satellite

And then I learned that it will have closures during the Winter of 2024. And that the MDOT detour route is even further. "From January until April, the bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for up to 10 nights, with two weeks’ notice. Traffic will be detoured on US-31, M-66, M-32, and US-131. For as many as 12 nights, and with 48 hours’ notice, the bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic intermittently for 15-minute periods between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. The exact schedule of these expected closures has not yet been determined." [michigan]

The hospital is on the south side of the bridge.

Satellite

"Repairs are planned to begin in December 2023 and run through April 2024, entailing work on the bridge’s rolling girders, which enable its lifting and closing actions. The entire rehabilitation project will include 20,000 pounds of structural steel repairs, according to MDOT officials during a recent public meeting on the project." [PetoskeyNews]

Bonus: there is a large quarry and cement plant just west of town.

Satellite

Street View, Oct 2023

Omni Material's Lime Silica Elevator on Calumet Lake and Soil Stabilization

(3D Satellite)

"The southern elevator is packed with lime silica, a component of cement, that a company called Mt. Carmel Stabilization brings in by barge." [Chicago Tribune, Aug 27, 2023, p17]

The elevator on the other side of the slip is abandoned.

Street View, Jul 2018

Paul Petraitis shared Daniel Bovino's photo
Port Of Chicago at Lake Calumet under construction Summer of 1956

If you like videos where every platitude, especially customer satisfaction, is said more than once by different talking heads, then this 3:54 video (source) is for you. Fortunately, they did sneak in some interesting video clips between the heads. All of the screenshots below are from this video.

"We can walk into a site that at the start of the day you couldn't hardly walk across in your own boots and at the end of the day they can drive a semi on it and not make a dent in it." [@ 2:52]

Screenshot

They design and build their own spreaders and have 60 of them. Since the focus of the video is platitudes instead of information, it doesn't mention what they are spreading. I think they spread lime silica or cement depending on the soil condition. They do mention that they have 10 storage facilities. I think they said that their total storage is 500,000 tons. (I'm not going to suffer through that video again to confirm that number. BTW, if you want an example of a video that is all information and no platitudes, check out this one.)

Screenshot

Screenshot

Screenshot

mtcsg_timeline
In 1995, they stabilized millions of square yards for the New Denver International Airport.

The next day I came across this alternate solution for soft soils.

Tensar Americas posted
When you build with Tensar InterAx geogrid, you can count on a higher-performing and longer-lasting solution for trafficked surfaces. Learn more about this proven solution and never sacrifice cost for performance again!
 https://info.tensarcorp.com/interax-sample-request

I did not download this eBook because it requires a registration. But maybe some readers are willing to do that.

Tensar Americas posted
Our free ebook compares the pros and cons of stabilizing bad soils with chemicals and geogrid. Download your copy.

Tensar Americas posted
Which is better, chemical stabilization or mechanical stabilization with geogrids? This e-book explains the pros and cons of each method, with actual project examples.
eBook offer

1901 Glenfinnan Viaduct over River Finnan in Scotland

(Historic Bridges; Satellite, 18,238 photos)

Historic Bridges rates this bridge with two 10s. I added the "cement" label because it was a pioneering concrete construction in 1901. The arch structure allows the use of unreinforced concrete.

"The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a whopping 380m (1247') long, making it the longest concrete railway bridge in Scotland, and it crosses the River Finnan at an impressive height of 30m (98')." [HighlandTitles]

The Harry Potter movies made the viaduct even more famous.

AtlasObscura, Bathed in sunlight. JOHN MCSPORRAN, CC 2.0
"Built in the 1890s, this railroad viaduct was the first structure in Britain to be built with mass concrete. It was this innovative building method that allows the overpass to remain in such good shape today."

0:37 video The Man in Seat 61 @ 0:00

Russell Mansfield commented on the video

I-76 and I-77 interchange in Akron, OH

(Satellite)

Lance Aerial Media posted three photos with the comment: "Midnight Aerial views of @hydracretepumping pumping 500 yards of Concrete last night for the new 77/76 bridge."

1

2

3

The interchange that is being built.

BurgessNiple
The cost of the "Central Interchange Improvements" project is supposed to be $160m.

A "before" image:

Satellite

ODOT via akron

The project includes other work in the area.

ODOT via akron

CTA Brown Line Flyover the Red+Purple Lines at Clark Junction

(Satellite, Clark Junction is where the Brown Line leaves the Red+Purple Lines)

Some more names for the Brown Line Flyover are Belmont Flyover and Red-Purple Bypass. It is part of a $1.7b Red-Purple Modernization Project. It opened in Nov of 2021. Phase 1 is also part of this project.

Marty Bernard posted
CTA 6000s, NB Ravenswood crossing over at Clark Junction and Tower, shot from Belmont Station, Chicago, 12/14/1972
Of course this is all different now.  The old Clark Tower in the photo is long gone.  The train in the photo would be up on the new flyover.
Marty Bernard shared

Marty Bernard shared again
Marty had a new comment on this post:
A CTA Ravenswood Train Blocking All Four Tracks
Chicago Transit Authority northbound Ravenswood Train crossing over at Clark Junction and Tower and blocking all four tracks. This does not occur anymore due to the new flyover. The old tower is gone also and the new tower is on the right of the four tracks closer to my camera. The shot is from the now gone bridge over the tracks at the Belmont Station on thr frosty morning of December. 14, 1972.

Dennis DeBruler commented on Marty's share
A currently accessible satellite image is old enough that it does not show the construction, thus it shows that the steel substructure for the tower was still standing.
https://www.google.com/.../@41.9427768,-87.../data=!3m1!1e3

As Marty's photo above illustrates, northbound Brown Line trains have to cut across the three other Red+Purple tracks. The flyover will not only eliminate stopping the Red+Purple trains when a northbound Brown Line train enters the junction, it will allow all of the trains to use a higher speed through the junction. I presume that the higher speeds are possible because the track work is simplified.

Before via Bypass Project

After via Bypass Project

Another "before" photo. Note the tower and junction in the background. 

Historic Chicago posted
Chicago Transit Authority - Belmont (1931)
US City Views posted

Belmont Station Chicago (1931)

In 1931, Belmont Station was a key stop on the Chicago Transit Authority’s elevated rail system, serving the Lakeview neighborhood. The station was a vital link for commuters traveling to and from downtown Chicago, providing access to the city’s extensive public transportation network. The surrounding area was a mix of residential buildings, local businesses, and entertainment venues, reflecting the vibrant community life of Lakeview. The station itself, with its distinctive architecture and busy platforms, was a focal point of daily activity. Belmont Station in 1931 captured the essence of Chicago’s commitment to efficient and accessible public transportation, connecting neighborhoods and fostering urban growth.

Nov 1, 2021:

1:04 video @ 0:14
CTA Red-Purple Bypass: Track Slide

Nov 18, 2021:

CTA RPM posted
Alert: The new Red-Purple Bypass opens tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 19! The new Bypass carries Kimball-bound (northbound) Brown Line trains over north- and southbound Red and Purple Line tracks just north of Belmont station to remove traffic jams at this intersection. Take a ride from Belmont to Southport stations to experience better CTA service for yourself. We’re excited to hit the first major milestone of the RPM project! 
The Walsh Group shared
 Big News!!

The bypass is showing up in a satellite image, but it has yet to be connected on the south side.

Satellite

Street View, Nov 2021

A corresponding "before" view.

Street View, Oct 2016

Bypass Project

The flyover is done and they are now rebuilding the tracks north of Belmont Station.

Mar 4, 2022: CTA RPM posted 2 photos with the comment: "Steel in our hearts! Demolition of the track structure north of Belmont station has officially begun. During the next year, we will rebuild the westernmost Red and Purple line tracks, allowing trains to continue running service on the easternmost side. We will then move to the other side, with an expected completion in 2025. We will save one bent from this removal process to create an historic exhibit at Belmont station, and the rest of the steel will be recycled!"

[This steel is old enough that it should be premium scrap steel because it was made 100% with iron ore. There would be no recycled metal in this steel.]

1

2

Mar 16, 2022:

CTA RPM posted
How’s this for a part-time job? Loop-bound Brown Line trains will begin using this temporary track while we demolish and rebuild the Red and Purple lines just north of Belmont. Kimball-bound Brown Line trains will continue to use the new bypass! All train service will continue throughout construction.

Apr 6, 2022:

CTA RPM posted
It’s getting rail! 🛤 Loop-bound Brown Line trains today began using a new temporary elevated track, that was built over the last year, while we demolish and rebuild the old tracks north of Belmont station. This temporary track will be used through 2025, making it one of the longest running temporary track structures in Chicago Transit Authority history!

Nov 12, 2018:

Steven J. Brown posted
CTA Brown Line - Ravenswood at Belmont before the flyover in Chicago, Illinois - November 12, 2018.

Apr 21, 2022:

0:13 video @ 0:01
This might spark your interest! 🎇 Watch as workers cut parts of the old steel track structure just north of Belmont station as demolition continues. This steel structure has carried Red and Purple line trains for over a century, and now it gets to retire, making way for the new concrete structure coming in 2025. The steel that is removed during this process will be recycled, and some will be saved for a future historic exhibit at Belmont station!

Jun 17, 2022:

CTA RPM posted
Zelma Williams: Where is this station?
Spencer Colton: By the looks of it, this is just behind the recently relocated Vautravers building near Belmont station.

Jun 29, 2022:

CTA RPM posted
They do a quiz about the depth of the shaft, but they never provide an answer. I suspect it is all of the above (50, 60, 70 and 80 feet) depending on the depth of the hard pan or rock.

Aug 2. 2022:

CTA RPM posted
Beautiful day at the Red-Purple Bypass!

Mar 5, 2022: I added the "cement" label to these notes because the new flyover is falling apart already! The Chicago Tribune also had an article on this problem with a photo showing several "holes" in the structure.

safe_image for RED-PURPLE BYPASS DAMAGED MERE MONTHS AFTER OPENING, CITY SAYS STILL PERFECTLY SAFE TO OPERATE
The article said these holes are where the contractor, Walsh-Fluor, proactively removed concrete that was spalling. And the spalling is because water got into the "components" and then froze. But why would water be getting into a brand new structure? The Chicago Tribune article included that the contractors have to repair it at no additional cost to the CTA.

Sep 22, 2022:

CBS Chicago shared the link: Why is the concrete still falling on the still-new CTA Brown Line flyover, and why no fix?
Post: "They said this would be a jewel of Chicago, and this is not a jewel of Chicago," said Timothy Sable. "This is literally a hazard."
Article: "The CTA told us the contractor [Walsh-Fluor] skipped grout on some locations altogether, and put too little in others. Thus, water got in and the structure started decaying."

2 of 4 photos posted by AdiL Khan with the comment: "Santa pilots the CTA Holiday Train over the Belmont Flyover and through Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. With Christmas now less than 10 days away, Santa and the CTA have been busy delivering meals and holiday cheer around our city and will continue to do so through 12/23. 

📸 : @chidrone"

a

b

2:29 video @ 1:36

2:18 timelapse video @ 1:02 (source)
Windy City Gantry Time Lapse at Red-Purple Modernization
Time lapse footage of the 285-foot-long Windy City Gantry assembling precast concrete bridge segments for the Chicago Transit Authority's Red-Purple Modernization. The gantry is erecting the bridge structure for the new Red and Purple Line tracks from Leland Avenue to Ardmore Ave on the northside of Chicago.

9:04 video @ 3:52
[I never saw the gantry crane. Evidently he was on the Brown Line and the gantry is further north.]