Lunda Construction employees rolled a 165-ton crane out onto a barge on the Missouri River on Thursday, in preparation for Memorial Bridge construction next week.

Department of Transportation spokesman Mike Kopp said the crane was moved to the barges before sunrise and then workers began loading steel on another barge.

While most of the initial construction of the new bridge will take place on the east side, next week a coffer dam is being built on the west side for the piers extending into the river.

First, workers will build a large steel frame for the coffer dam and then drive sheet pile 70 feet in length into the river bed. When the dam is complete, 45 to 50 feet will be excavated from inside the dam to provide for the pier.

Kopp said changes to the interchange at Memorial Highway and Fraine Barracks Road have been a source of frustration to drivers, creating minor traffic slow-ups.

Previously, right turns involved a free-flow lane for vehicles traveling east, with a yield sign providing traffic control. That lane has closed, and now motorists must travel to the light and await the signal.

"People might need to consider an alternative route since we are seeing some traffic delay," Kopp said.

When construction starts on the coffer dam, buoys and signs will be put on the river to mark restricted areas and direct boaters to appropriate lanes. The area has already been designated "no wake" in an effort to keep waves to a minimum, as they hinder work conditions in the water.

For those who want to keep track of progress being made on construction of the new Memorial Bridge, a Web cam has been set up and can be accessed and viewed from either the North Dakota Department of Transportation Web site or the site dedicated to the bridge, www.memorialbridge.info.

Kopp indicated construction has brought out a number of sightseers. He recommends viewing the work from Sertoma Park's Shelter 11, which he said provides the best view of the work.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)