By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

As road construction around Otter Tail County continues, one of this year’s larger projects have been completed. The County Highway 8 bridge northeast of Perham, known locally as “Shasky’s Bridge,” was finished this past week. The bridge, built in 1959, had a sufficiency rating of 58.20 and was noted to have structural deficiency. 

Korby Contracting Company, Inc. of Fergus Falls won the bid in May for $774,021.20 to removed bridge #56501 and install the new #56545. Highways 51 and 60 were approved as the official detour routes during construction.

Removal of the old bridge started June 8 and was originally scheduled to be ready for traffic on September 17. Over a week of unforeseen work had to be accomplished before construction could commence which delayed the completion date. North and south abutments and the pier were all completed during June and July.

Spans of falsework were laid out during the month of August and side forms and mats of rebar for the deck slab followed. The completion date was extended a month to October 17th. Paving took place on October 19th and the guardrail was installed on the 20th. Though a bit later than originally slated, the bridge is now open to traffic and removes the need to circumnavigate Little or Big Pine Lakes.