Date:  Friday, February 05, 2010

Contact: Scott Wilcox, WSDOT Bridge Supervisor, (360) 905-2206 (Vancouver)
Heidi Sause, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2057 (Vancouver)

WSDOT crews to inspect bridges on US 12 and SR 506

MOSSYROCK –WSDOT crews will take advantage of unseasonably mild weather to get an early start on the annual bridge inspection season in southwest Washington by taking a closer look at four bridges in Lewis County this week.

All inspection work will take place between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 9 through Thursday, Feb. 11. During the work, flaggers will alternate one-way traffic over the bridges. Single-lane closures are necessary during these inspections for the safety of work crews and the traveling public.

On Feb. 9 and 10, crews will inspect three bridges on US 12: the Cowlitz River Mayfield Bridge (mile post 82); Corn Creek Bridge (mile post 89.24); and, Twin Canyon Creek Bridge (mile post 89.27). On Feb. 11, crews will conduct the final inspection of the week near Vader on the SR 506, Lacamas Creek Bridge (mile post 8.05).

The safety of bridge structures in Washington is ensured through a meticulous inspection system. Every bridge – state and local – is inspected at least every two years, with some more frequently. The condition of all bridge decks, superstructures and substructures are rated based on these inspections. WSDOT inspected 1,864 bridges in 2009, and is scheduled to inspect 1,922 bridges in 2010, including 67 underwater bridges inspections performed by WSDOT’s bridge inspection dive team.

For information on current bridge safety ratings and data from the 2009 state bridge inspections, visit the WSDOT Bridge Web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Bridge/Reporting/default.htm.

For weekly traffic impacts, please visit the WSDOT Southwest Region Weekly Travel Advisory Web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/SouthWest/Construction.

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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

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