It’s pile driving time again

From ODOT-

If you live or travel near the Willamette River Bridge project, you may have already heard the pile driving that is under way.



Crews are driving piles as they build bridge bents, which are the supporting structures of vertical concrete columns that hold up the bridge beams and deck.



During construction, we are required to protect fish in the river from loud noise that can impact them or their communication and migratory patterns. April is one of just a few months in which we are allowed to drive piles in the river, because there is less risk to the fish.



Whenever our crews drive piles underwater, they use a device called a bubbleator to muffle the noise. The bubbleator is a custom-made foam oval protected by sheet metal. Aluminum pipes deliver 1,600 cubic feet of air per minute to the bubbleator, frothing the water. The air bubbles create a sound curtain to protect fish from the loud noise of pile driving. You can read more about the bubbleator and how it works in one of our previous blog posts and in an in-depth article on HubDOT.com.



The pile driving will occur intermittently between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, throughout the summer. We appreciate your patience during this noisy time.