Pounding pilings but keeping eyes skyward
MARSHLAND, Wis. – For months the Lunda bridge contractor out of Black River Falls has been pounding pilings into the muck under the Trempealeau River between Centerville and Maryland for new State Highway 35 bridges across the backwaters. Besides the underwater challenges, there are the relativley new Xcel super-trasmission lines overhead. As the sign says, the operators of four Lufta cranes need to avoid swinging up and over and making an unintended contact. Two years ago the Xcel project near Taylor cost a worker his life.
Highway 35 speed trap
Everyday motorists have their challenges around construction through the backwaters. A smoothly paved detour around the new bridges is bosted at a reasonable 30 mph. But it’s a straight stretch and easy to fall into old 55 mph habits. Warning: Smokey alert.
Images: Steve Lunde