Cairo student receives Right Stuff Award at Space Camp
Hudson Stevenson, a student at Cairo Elementary School, recently graduated from Space Camp and was awarded the Right Stuff Award, the most prestigious honor given to only one camper out of over 100 each week, according to a Facebook post by Henderson County Schools.
“This incredible award recognizes the camper who best embodies the courage, integrity, and excellence of early space explorers,” the school post said. “Hudson stood out as an enthusiastic leader, a dedicated learner and a true team player who lifted up those around him.”
Space Camp takes place at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and is a week-long educational experience that illuminates real-world applications of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Throughout the week, students are immersed in astronaut training techniques using equipment adapted from NASA’s astronaut program.
Temporary traffic lights on U.S. 60 taken down
The temporary traffic signals in place on U.S. 60 are being removed. The signals will be removed today, restoring two-way traffic at the CSX overpass bridge near the new U.S. 60 interchange under construction.
With the signals removed, it’s important for drivers to slow down and observe the posted work zone speed limit of 35 miles per hour, yield to traffic in the roundabouts, and observe posted signs.
Officials are reminding drivers of the rules of the roundabouts, which includes tips that motorists must slow down and be ready to yield; approaching traffic must yield to traffic already in the roundabout; and drivers should not stop while driving inside the roundabout.
The new interchange is expected to open in its final configuration with two lanes open to traffic by early fall. Until then, drivers can expect the U.S. 60 interchange to remain in temporary configuration with one lane open in each direction and through the roundabouts, officials say.
I-69 ORX says hundreds of beams to be set in place to hold approach bridges
Nearly 200 large concrete beams will be delivered and set in the coming months for the three approach bridges that are part of Section 3 of the I-69 Ohio River Crossing approach work in Evansville, say I-69 ORX officials.
A release from I-69 ORX says the longest beams are 188 feet long and weigh about 100 tons each. Four beams are expected to be delivered and set three days a week, with one beam transported per truck. Beam delivery and setting is expected to begin next week and continue through mid-September.
According to I-69 ORX, a total of 84 of the largest precast concrete beams will be delivered and installed first. The beams are among the largest precast concrete beams used in any construction project in the Midwest. Another 92 slightly shorter beams will be installed this fall.
Three approach bridges are being built in Evansville. The substructure includes steel piles and piers that support the bridge’s superstructure. The superstructure includes beams and bridge decks. Concrete for the bridge decks is expected to be poured this fall.
The approach bridges mark the path to the future I-69 bridge. They will provide all-weather access for crews to build the I-69 bridge. The approach bridges and roadways in Evansville will open to traffic after completion of the bridge, currently estimated to be in 2031.
Brief Rolling Closures
I-69 ORX officials are cautioning drivers about two short-term rolling closures lasting about 15 minutes each on U.S. 41 which will allow vehicles delivering the beams to safely make the left turn from southbound U.S. 41 to Waterworks Road (about ½ mile north of the U.S. 41 bridges).
Typically, beams will be delivered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons, say I-69 ORX. Beams are expected to be delivered only on Monday, July 21, and Wednesday, July 23, officials say. Message boards along U.S. 41 will remind drivers of these closures. The schedule may be adjusted due to the weather and is subject to change.