The shaft is 95-ft deep and 9-ft in diameter. The results of the load test will be used to refine the design of the bridge piers. This shaft is actually the second test shaft to be constructed. The first one encountered artesian water pressure at 110-ft so the load test program was modified.
According to the article from the StarTribune, the abutments will apparently be founded on driven piles. The pile driving operation is scheduled to be complete some time this week.