A big milestone was reached injecting the grout into the tendons of the bridge spans of the new Sylvester Road Bridge construction.

Next, the “end diaphrams” will be framed and poured, then curbs, railing and approaches.

We’re getting there!

Completion date estimates are coming into view, maybe the end of February to the beginning of March.

The attention to detail is impressive and problem solving has been incredible – these guys are really good.

Here are some pics – click images to see larger versions:

(Upper Left) Casey Wagner (KC) foreground and Sam Bellah of King County monitor the grout mixing process by employees from ReBar International (RBI) Tony Raybell, Brandon Chevalier and Brian Benton. 440 fifty pound bags of Sika Grout (“powdered rock”) are used to make a “special sauce” that fills the 16 bridge span tendons sealing the suspension cables adding tremendous strength to the bridge spans.

(Upper right) Sam Bellah, Field Engineer for King County makes notes and records the details.

(Lower left) Brian Benton of (RBI) tests the flow of the mixture before the hose is attached to the tendons input valves. 100 pounds of pressure pushes the mixture through and (lower right) closes the valve at the far end when the mixture comes through.

(Upper left) Tony Raybell adds just the right amount of water to the mixing vat as Brandon Chevalier brings the 50 pound bags to the mixer.

(Upper right) Tony Raybell (RBI) loads the mixer.

(Lower Left & right) Casey Wagner, Quality Control Engineer for King County takes frequent samples of the mixture testing temperature and makes several grout cubes for testing. Two days later the cubes are break compression tested for strength. Typically 5,000 pounds is reached in 2 days and 26,000 pounds in 7 days.

Here are some other photos sent to us Feb. 4, courtesy Ron Laiminger, who adds “They have a cable all tensioned and are getting ready to pour the sidewalk and guard rails” (click images to see larger versions):

A new exhibit featuring ten photographs by BTB photog Michael Brunk began a two month display at the Burien Community Center today.

The set of photos features images from several Burien parks displaying the local beauty from all seasons of the year.

The photos will be displayed until the end of March 2012.

The Burien Community Center is located at 14700 6th Avenue SW.

It’s open to the public from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm Monday thru Thursday, and 8:30 am to 5:00 pm on Friday.

The recent snow and ice days set the completion date back a bit but progress is being made – click images to see larger versions:

Sub-contractors from RBI, Rebar International, Brandon Chevalier (topside) and Brian Benton lift and position the DYWIDAG (Dew EE Dag) hydraulic ram into place to tension the bridge span cables.

There are four spans with four tendons (tubes) in each, with 22 cables running 230 feet in length. Each girder has 3,850,000 pounds of lift.

The ram stretches each bundle of 22 cables about 15 inches with 5,000 pounds of pull. A Guide plate pushes each 3-part cable seating wedge into place anchoring the cable securely against the girder face.

Each face has an injection port for grout which protects and strengthens the cables. As the cables are tensioned the bridge should arch slightly upward so the “false work” metal support structures can be removed.

Concurrently, bridge rail and curb forms are being constructed.

Another successful Empty Bowls fundraiser is behind us, setting new records for both attendance and contributions.

This annual event raises money for the Highline and White Center Food Banks by accepting donations for a hand-made bowl filled with soup.

When the dust settled and the soup ladles were put away 1,150 attendees contributed $18,400 versus last year’s 1,014 attendees and $16,300.

Here’s a list of the sponsors, soup contributors and others that made the event possible:

909 Coffee & Wine, Ace Hardware, Angelo’s Ristorante, Azteca Restaurant, Archies Mexican Restaurant, B-Town Blog, Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, Clay Art Center, CC’s Lounge, Day Star, Discover Burien Association, El Dorado West Retirement, Elliott Bay Brewery & Pub, Emerald Cove Catering, Fred Meyer, Grand Central Bakery, Highline Medical Center, Ivars Seafood Restaurant, Kayak Bar and Grill, La Costa Mexican Restaurant, Mark Restaurant & Bar, Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub, Normandy Park Senior Living, Osteria da Primo, Panera Bread Company, Puget Sound Skills Center, SideStreet Kitchen and Bar, Sterling Savings Bank, The Company, The Tin Room Bar & Grill, Waste Management, and the amazing Moshier Potters!

BTB photog Michael Brunk was at the dinner session and put together the following photo gallery. You can click the image above or the thumbnails below to view high-resolution photos.

The Community Center is located at 14700 6th Ave SW, in the building that formerly housed the library.

Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer was on hand to take the following pics during the lunch session; be sure to check back later for scenes from the dinner from Michael Brunk (click images below to see larger versions or to start slideshow):

Two bald eagles at Three Tree Point during Wednesday's snowstorm. Blood from a recent kills is on the bulkhead next to the eagle on the right. Click image to see larger version. Photo by Ursula Haigh.

Despite all the media weather overhype and abuse of yellow parkas, the first snowstorm of 2012 didn’t disappoint us, as we enjoyed a true snow day with our kids in conditions perfect for building snowmen, playing and throwing snowballs.

At the Blog’s Home Headquarters in Three Tree Point, we received between 4-5″ of the white stuff and had a great time.

And of course we took photos on this historic day, as did many of our Readers; if you’ve got some good snow pics you think we should share, please email them to us: editor@b-townblog.com and we’ll do our best to post them.

In the meantime, here’s the best of what we’ve received so far (click images to see larger versions and start slideshow):

Courtesy John Elliott, who adds “I took this today after the snow stopped the first time. Colors were spectacular. Probably an inch on the ground at this time…” (click images to see larger versions):

And from Justin Lapriore comes this one focusing on flakes as they fell:

Here’s one from Denise Vandenbroek, taken just after the snow started at Three Tree Point:

The next bunch is from Maureen Hoffmann:

Have a great snow pic you’d like to share with our Readers? Please email them to us: editor@b-townblog.com.

Click image to see larger version.

And second, from Bonnie Moormeier, taken from her home north of Seahurst Park:

Click image to see larger version.

Now, we’re asking our Readers to snap pics when (or if…) snow hits the B-Town area this weekend – please email your snow pics to us (editor@b-townblog.com) so we can share them…thanks!