40,000-pound concrete sections built in a hurry

The box culverts used to form the pedestrian tunnel currently under construction on U.S. 93 at Flathead Valley Community College didn’t have to travel far.

The 23 concrete sections — which weigh in at 40,000 pounds each — were produced by Glacier Precast Concrete Inc., located just outside Kalispell.

And they were made in a hurry.

Owner Tom Anderson said the $135,000 contract was awarded to his company on March 22. By April 9, the work was done, he said.

“It was really on a fast track,” Anderson said.

The job also allowed Anderson to return three workers who had previously been laid off. Anderson said workers modified existing forms in which to pour concrete and create the culverts, which are 10 feet high and 14 feet wide.

The culverts then are plucked out of the form and rolled into an upright position with the help of two cranes.

“It was a good job for us,” said Anderson.

The box culverts each include about a ton of reinforced steel.

LHC Inc. is the general contractor for the tunnel project.