Date:  Friday, July 17, 2009

Contact: Allen Hendy, WSDOT Assistant Area Engineer, (360) 905-1522 (Vancouver)
Annie Linstrom, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2079 (Vancouver)

MORTON – Contractor crews completed repairs to a damaged bridge pier on the SR 508, Tilton River Bridge (mile post 32.25) on schedule and will restore the bridge to two-lane traffic Monday, July 20.

Damage to the southeast bridge pier occurred during January 2009 winter storms, causing exposure of the bridge foundation. The eastbound lane has been closed to traffic since April for the safety of travelers and preservation of the bridge. All previous weight restrictions will be lifted from the bridge on Monday.

WSDOT engineers and Mowat crews built a temporary dewatering system around the damaged pier to pump water away from the affected area. Crews poured nearly 60 yards of concrete under the bridge foundation and installed large rocks in front of the footing of the bridge to further stabilize its foundation.

This week, crews will finish planting grass near the river bank where the temporary access road to the project was built and complete repairs to a damaged culvert near the project area. Crews will remove all construction equipment from the project area by the end of next week.

The total cost of this project is estimated at $700,000. Repairs are funded through disaster relief funds provided by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Construction began June 11, and was completed on schedule, Monday July 20.

For weekly updates on this and all other traffic impacts in the region, please visit the WSDOT Southwest Region Weekly Travel Advisory Web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/SouthWest/Construction. 

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