Date:
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Contact:
David Burkey, Southwest Region Traffic Office, 360-905-2262
Chris Tams, Columbia Gorge Area Engineer, 360-759-1325
Alissa Bateman, WSDOT Communications, 360-905-2078
GOLDENDALE –Speed limit reductions and weight restrictions will go into affect on US 97, across Biggs Rapids – Sam Hill Bridge on March 27, announced the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
The posted speed limit on US Highway 97 at the Biggs Rapids – Sam Hill Memorial Bridge, will change from 50 to 40 miles per hour. Weight limit restrictions also begin March 27. Both speed limit reductions and weight limit restrictions will last through the end of construction on the deck replacement project.
Weight restrictions will limit the use of the bridge to vehicles weighing less than 40 tons, and a maximum of 8.5 tons per axel. There are several detour options for vehicles exceeding the weight restriction. Traffic can cross the US 197 Dalles Bridge via I-84 or State Route 14. Another option for eastbound traffic is to cross at the I-82 Columbian River Bridge.
On March 27, WSDOT will install center lane markers across the north half of the US 97 Biggs Rapids – Sam Hill Memorial Bridge. These changes will help to decrease wear on the bridge, and increase safety for motorists.
These changes are going into affect to slow the deterioration of the existing bridge deck, which will be replaced in 2007/8. The current deck concrete has been deteriorating, and will be replaced with a stronger, more durable concrete deck. The deck replacement was originally scheduled to begin in 2010, but due to the urgency of this project, it has been accelerated to begin in Fall 2007. Speed limit reductions and weight limit restrictions will help ensure safe traffic operations across the bridge in the meantime, until the deck replacement project begins.
Next month, WSDOT will be hosting an open house to educate the public on the project updates and traffic impacts. The public is invited to attend at:
Rufus Community Center
Rufus, Oregon
Thursday, April 27
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
304 W. 2nd Street
Motorists are asked to observe and adhere to the posted speed limits when driving through the area.
For weekly updates on this and all other state construction-related impacts in the region, please visit the WSDOT Southwest Region Weekly Travel Advisory Web page: www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/southwest/Travel. It is updated every Friday for the following week’s impacts.
For more information about the Biggs Rapids – Sam Hill project, please contact WSDOT’s Columbia Gorge Area Engineering Office by phone (360-759-1310), by e-mail (swgorge@wsdot.wa.gov), or visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/US97/BiggsBridge/ .
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EDITOR’S NOTE: To get photos of the new speed limit sign installations,
please call Alissa Bateman in Vancouver at 360-905-2078.
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