Date:
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Contact:
Will Smith, WSDOT Project Engineer, (509) 577-1840 (Yakima)
Meagan McFadden, WSDOT Communications, (509) 577-1618 (Yakima)
Mike Westbay, WSDOT Communications Manager, (509) 577-1617 (Yakima)
EASTON – WSDOT and contractor Max J. Kuney battled freezing temperatures yesterday, Nov. 27, as they set five bulb-tee girders that will replace a damaged bridge span over I-90 near Easton. The girders are the first step of the repair project, which crews have promised to wrap up by mid-December.
“We had a break in the weather last night and took advantage of that to set the girders,” said Will Smith, WSDOT Project Engineer. “Everything went very well.”
The girders were prepared and cured in Tacoma and made the long trek from the manufacturer over Snoqualmie Pass to Easton on Nov. 26 and 27.
Crews are working diligently to restore the bridge for the Easton community by mid-December despite unpredictable weather conditions and thousands of drivers traveling over Snoqualmie Pass everyday. WSDOT is working to accommodate the number of drivers by working at night when traffic is lighter and providing a detour.
What’s Next (Weather Permitting):
• Nov. 29 – Begin pouring bracing between girders
• Dec. 5 – Begin pouring concrete sidewalk and installing rail from old bridge
• Dec. 15 – Open to traffic
Watch WSDOT Work:
To view video of WSDOT crews setting the bulb-tee girders on Tuesday, Nov. 27, visit our Web site: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I90/EastonBridge/. We have also launched cameras on our Web site to provide a bird’s eye view of the work taking place from start to finish: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/cccam.aspx
Project Description:
On Oct. 31, 2007, an over-sized load struck the bridge girders on the eastbound span of the Easton Interchange Bridge over eastbound I-90 at exit 71. WSDOT bridge experts determined the bridge span was damaged beyond repair and an emergency contract was established to demolish the bridge Nov. 1, 2007. We are now constructing a new bridge span over the eastbound lanes.
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