Date:  Sunday, January 09, 2011

Contact: Lisa Copeland, Region Communications Manager, 360-790-1383  Scott Ireland, Project Engineer, 360-533-9352

HOQUIAM – Five months of design and construction end Monday, Jan. 10, when one of the primary routes between Hoquiam and Aberdeen – the US 101 Simpson Avenue Bridge – reopens to travelers.

“We sincerely appreciate the patience residents and business owners in Hoquiam and Aberdeen had during this project,” said Kevin Dayton, region administrator with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). “We’re extremely pleased to give the people of Grays Harbor their bridge back.”

WSDOT closed the bridge Aug. 5, 2010, after unusual movement was noticed and a subsequent inspection revealed extensive degradation to the easterly pier. WSDOT made temporary repairs to stabilize the structure in early September and hired Aberdeen-based Quigg Bros. Inc. in October for $4.1 million to repair the foundation supporting the pier.

During the closure, motorists detoured to the nearby Riverside Bridge.

Although the bridge is open to traffic, crews will continue working alongside of the bridge painting and completing other minor tasks. This work should not affect motorists’ use of the bridge. Completion of the remaining emergency contract work is scheduled to be completed by the end of the month.

A subsequent repair contract is scheduled to be administered later this year to add six additional shafts to the pier and replace the marine fenders. This work will be performed under typical contracting methods of advertisement and bidding.

Built in 1927, the Simpson Avenue Bridge is a 1,978-foot-long bridge that spans the Hoquiam River and carries about 13,000 vehicles per day.

For more information about the project visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/US101/SimpsonBridgePierRepair/.

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